IURC_to_Review_Existing_Net_Metering_Rules[1]

For Immediate Release

June 1, 2010

Contact Information:

Danielle McGrath

Office: (317) 232‐2297

E-mail: dmcgrath@urc.in.gov

The IURC to Review Existing Net Metering Rules

Commission seeking public comment

INDIANAPOLIS – On June 3, 2010, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will hold its first public meeting to hear from consumers and other interested stakeholders on the Commission’s existing net metering rules.

 With the increased emphasis on alternative energy, the Commission has experienced a rise in the number of inquiries it has received about net metering. The agency has also listened to concerns examined by legislative proposals and raised by the public about the current rules, which were established in March 2005. The Commission finds it appropriate to further engage these interested parties to better understand the needs of Hoosiers.

 Therefore, the Commission will begin collecting comments and information from the public beginning in June so that it can gauge the effectiveness of the existing rules and determine whether the state could benefit by altering the rules. While the first meeting will be held in Indianapolis (see event details below), two additional meetings will also be held outside of Indianapolis.

 Indiana’s existing net metering rules spell out the minimum requirements for customers and utilities alike. Currently, the rules only apply to investor-owned utility (IOU) companies such as Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Southern Indiana Gas and Electric, Indianapolis Power & Light, Duke Energy Indiana, and Indiana Michigan Power.

 Net metering is a service offering that allows participants to supplement their electric usage and mitigate a portion of their cost by installing renewable energy facilities such as wind turbines or solar panels. If the amount the customer receives from the utility is greater than the amount delivered to the utility, the difference is charged to the customer. If the amount the customer received from the utility is less than the amount delivered to the utility, the customer receives a credit on the next bill for the difference.

 As defined in 170 IAC 4-4.2, an eligible net metering customer means a customer in good standing who owns and operates a solar, wind, or hydroelectric generating facility with a capacity of less than or equal to 10kW on their premises. At a minimum, the five IOUs must offer net metering to residential customers and K‐12 schools that install a net metering facility. They may also offer net metering to commercial or industrial customers as well.

For more information on the annual net metering reports filed with the Commission, please visit: www.in.gov/iurc/files/2009_Net_Metering_Required_Reporting_Summary.pdf.

For more information about the Commission, please visit: www.in.gov/iurc.

Event details:

• June 3, 2010 ‐ Indianapolis

Net Metering Public Meeting at 10:00 a.m.

National City Center

Judicial Courtroom 222

101 W. Washington Street

Indianapolis, IN, 46204

• June 16, 2010 ‐ Ellettsville

Net Metering Public Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Edgewood Junior High School

851 Edgewood Drive

Ellettsville, IN 47429

• June 21, 2010 ‐ South Bend

Net Metering Public Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

County‐City Building

227 West Jefferson Blvd.

Suite 400 S

South Bend, Indiana 46601