HB 1176 -- Renewable Energy Act

Sponsor:  Baker (25)

This bill establishes the Renewable Energy Act which requires the
Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Public Service
Commission to establish renewable energy requirements for
utilities under the commission's jurisdiction.  The department
must establish a Renewable Energy Certificate Trading Program to
enforce the provisions of the act.  Renewable energy including
wind, solar, thermal, photovoltaic cell and panels, and
animal-waste-generated energy must constitute 4% to 6% of the
total energy supplied after December 31, 2011; 8% to 12% after
December 31, 2015; and 17% to 23% after December 31, 2020.
Specific requirements may be determined by the commission.
Requirements can be waived if they will result in a 3% or greater
increase in the market price of electricity.  Failure to meet the
requirements will result in a monetary penalty that is to be
deposited into the Missouri Renewable Energy Loan Authority Fund
which will be administered by the eight-member Missouri Renewable
Energy Loan Authority established by the bill.

The powers and procedures for electing members and the internal
audit requirements for the loan authority are specified in the
bill.  In addition to moneys from penalties, the fund may receive
an annual appropriation from the General Assembly.  The bill
suggests a $15 million initial appropriation.  The loan authority
must use the moneys in the fund to provide low-interest loans for
renewable energy projects of all types.

The bill requires standard net metering so that customers will be
allowed to sell renewable energy to utilities at an hourly actual
cost avoided rate.  Requirements for constructing and
interconnecting the electrical grid to utility customers are
specified in the bill.

Yard waste may be disposed of in landfills producing electricity
from gas by using the waste to accelerate the gas production
process.

The provisions of the bill regarding the Renewable Energy Act
will expire six years from the effective date.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am