Sec. 27.
(1) Subject to sections 31 and 45, and in addition to the requirements of subsection (3), an electric provider that is an electric utility with 1,000,000 or more retail customers in this state as of January 1, 2008 shall achieve a renewable energy capacity portfolio of not less than the following:
(a) For an electric provider with more than 1,000,000 but less than 2,000,000 retail electric customers in this state on January 1, 2008, a renewable energy capacity portfolio of 200 megawatts by December 31, 2013 and 500 megawatts by December 31, 2015.
(b) For an electric provider with more than 2,000,000 retail electric customers in this state on January 1, 2008, a renewable energy capacity portfolio of 300 megawatts by December 31, 2013 and 600 megawatts by December 31, 2015.
(2) An electric provider's renewable energy capacity portfolio shall be calculated by adding the following:
(a) The nameplate capacity in megawatts of renewable energy systems owned by the electric provider that were not in commercial operation before the effective date of this act.
(b) The capacity in megawatts of renewable energy that the electric provider is entitled to purchase under contracts that were not in effect before the effective date of this act.
(3) Subject to sections 31 and 45, an electric provider shall achieve a renewable energy credit portfolio as follows:
(a) In 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, a renewable energy credit portfolio based on the sum of the following:
(i) The number of renewable energy credits from electricity generated in the 1-year period preceding the effective date of this act that would have been transferred to the electric provider pursuant to section 35(1), if this act had been in effect during that 1-year period.
(ii) The number of renewable energy credits equal to the number of megawatt hours of electricity produced or obtained by the electric provider in the 1-year period preceding the effective date of this act from renewable energy systems for which recovery in electric rates was approved on the effective date of this act.
(iii) Renewable energy credits in an amount calculated as follows:
(A) Taking into account the number of renewable energy credits under subparagraphs (i) and (ii), determine the number of additional renewable energy credits that the electric provider would need to reach a 10% renewable energy portfolio in that year.
(B) Multiply the number under sub-subparagraph (A) by 20% for 2012, 33% for 2013, 50% for 2014, and 100% for 2015.
(b) In 2016 and each year thereafter, maintain a renewable energy credit portfolio that consists of at least the same number of renewable energy credits as were required in 2015 under subdivision (a).
(4) An electric provider's renewable energy credit portfolio shall be calculated as follows:
(a) Determine the number of renewable energy credits used to comply with this subpart during the applicable year.
(b) Divide by 1 of the following at the option of the electric provider as specified in its renewable energy plan:
(i) The number of weather-normalized megawatt hours of electricity sold by the electric provider during the previous year to retail customers in this state.
(ii) The average number of megawatt hours of electricity sold by the electric provider annually during the previous 3 years to retail customers in this state.
(c) Multiply the quotient under subdivision (b) by 100.
(5) Subject to subsection (6), each electric provider shall meet the renewable energy credit standards with renewable energy credits obtained by 1 or more of the following means:
(a) Generating electricity from renewable energy systems for sale to retail customers.
(b) Purchasing or otherwise acquiring renewable energy credits with or without the associated renewable energy.
(6) An electric provider may substitute energy optimization credits, advanced cleaner energy credits with or without the associated advanced cleaner energy, or a combination thereof for renewable energy credits otherwise required to meet the renewable energy credit standards if the substitution is approved by the commission. However, commission approval is not required to substitute advanced cleaner energy from industrial cogeneration for renewable energy credits. The commission shall not approve a substitution unless the commission determines that the substitution is cost-effective compared to other sources of renewable energy credits and, if the substitution involves advanced cleaner energy credits, that the advanced cleaner energy system provides carbon dioxide emissions benefits. In determining whether the substitution of advanced cleaner energy credits is cost-effective, the commission shall include as part of the costs of the system the environmental costs attributed to the advanced cleaner energy system, including the costs of environmental control equipment or greenhouse gas constraints or taxes. The commission's determinations shall be made after a contested case hearing that includes consultation with the department of environmental quality on the issue of carbon dioxide emissions benefits, if relevant, and environmental costs.
(7) Under subsection (6), energy optimization credits, advanced cleaner energy credits, or a combination thereof shall not be used by a provider to meet more than 10% of the renewable energy credit standards. Advanced cleaner energy from advanced cleaner energy systems in existence on January 1, 2008 shall not be used by a provider to meet more than 70% of this 10% limit. This 10% limit does not apply to advanced cleaner energy credits from plasma arc gasification.
(8) Substitutions under subsection (6) shall be made at the following rates per renewable energy credit:
(a) One energy optimization credit.
(b) One advanced cleaner energy credit from plasma arc gasification or industrial cogeneration.
(c) Ten advanced cleaner energy credits other than from plasma arc gasification or industrial cogeneration.
History: 2008, Act 295, Imd. Eff. Oct. 6, 2008
Last modified: October 10, 2016