Consumer Advocacy – Public Utilities (DCA)

Act 200, signed into law on July 10, 2018, establishes a Microgrid Services Tariff. A microgrid is a small energy system with local control capability that can disconnect from the larger electricity grid and operate autonomously.

The Consumer Advocate (CA) recently filed its Reply Brief on its position regarding the need for and application of a Microgrid Services Tariff. The CA urged that the focus should be on addressing the Sate resiliency objectives the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) should first seek to clearly establish the objectives of the proceeding to facilitate the deployment of microgrids that deliver resilient electric services to critical facilities, load, and areas.

An example would be the ability to provide service after a major weather event (hurricane, tsunami, etc.) that causes lengthy electric outages that could take days to restore service. The CA also offers that the PUC should prioritize and focus on addressing what resiliency needs should be met with urgency and the benefits of resiliency should ultimately serve all customers, not just individuals.

Read more about this proceeding by searching Docket No. 2018-0163 on the PUC’s document management system.