2007 Senate Bill 385

Mandate utility alternative energy use

Introduced in the Senate

March 29, 2007

Introduced by Sen. Jim Barcia (D-31)

To mandate that electric utilities acquire at least 9 percent of their power from “renewable” sources by 2009, growing to at least 20 percent by 2020, at least five percent of which must be solar. The Public Service Commission would be authorized to regulate the duration and terms of contracts under which utilities obtain such power, in general mandating that the contract be for at least 10 years (to allow the provider to get financing to establish the renewable source). The bill would also authorize trading of renewable energy “credits” between utilities that exceed or fall short of the mandated quantity, and would impose fines of $55 for each megawatt hour that a utility falls short in production or credits. "Renewable energy" is defined as that generated by biomass, geothermal, solar, wind, hydroelectric, and gas captured from the decomposition of waste. It does not include nuclear power.

Referred to the Committee on Energy Policy and Public Utilities