Senate Bill 8-68 requires electric service providers to make a net metering program available to costumers so that consumers may establish a renewable energy generation system to produce electricity for their own use and to supply excess electricity to the electric service provider.
The bills goal is to offset charges for electricity by the amount of electricity supplied by the customer from the customer generation system and requires the electric service provider to give customers credit for electricity generated by the customer that exceeds the amount supplied by the provider.The bill also stated that it is a requirement that customers meet certain safety requirements with respect to customer generating system.The measure prohibits the electrical service provider from imposing additional charges or fees to costumers participating in the net metering program.The measure said that the program will encourage investment in renewable energy resources, stimulate economic growth, reduce demand for electricity when alternate energy is available; enhance the continued diversification of the energy resources used in Palau, reduce fossil fuel imports for electricity generation and increase energy independence and reduce carbon emission and benefit Palau’s environment.The bill also stated that appropriate technical standards for grid connection of renewable energy systems and PPUC provide a license which will show that the PPUC has approved the interconnection of the system. The bill has been introduced by Sen. Paul Ueki.The measure is now with the Senate Committee on Capital Improvements Project.The regular session is set on July.
