Illinois solar supporters:

Please consider filing public comments in support of the ICC’s proposed net metering amendments.  The public comment period closes on June 22^nd.   You do not need to become formal parties to the docket or retain an attorney in order to comment.  All public comments are acceptable.

Illinois Register notice: http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/PublicComments.aspx?no=15-0273

• See page 6134 for proposed amendments to 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 465
• Time, Place and Manner in whhttp://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/PublicComments.aspx?no=15-0273ich interested persons may comment on this proposed rulemaking: Comments should be filed, by June 22nd, to Elizabeth Rolando, Chief Clerk Illinois Commerce Commission 527 East Capitol Avenue Springfield IL 62701 217/782-7434
  
• Please include docket number 15-0273 on all filed comments.
• Please let us know if you plan to file comments so that we can keep track.

The amendments cover the following issues:

• Updated and clarified eligibility and bill credit provisions to reflect current law.
• Requirement for competitive suppliers to post NEM application forms and procedures on their websites.
• Provision for electronic application processing.
• Improved notification procedures for NEM customers that are switching electricity providers and requirement that electric utilities provide interval data to enable accurate NEM billing by competitive suppliers.
• New language requiring utilities to individually consider “meter aggregation”/virtual net metering applications.

Here are some suggested talking points for comments:

• Describe who you are and your interest in clean energy issues in Illinois:
• • Solar business,
  • Clean energy advocate,
  • Concerned citizen, etc
•  Describe why you believe Illinois should support strong solar/renewable energy policies:
• • Good for jobs/economy,
  • Good for environment,
  • Good for the future of Illinois, etc
• Describe why net metering is important:
• • Core/fundamental policy to support distributed generation,
  • Simple/fair credit for DG
• Describe why you support these rules:
• • Clarifies and updates the rules and enhances transparency for the public and for clean energy businesses.
  • Helps facilitate information sharing and interval meter data between utilities and competitive suppliers so net metering customers can be billed accurately and do not fall through the cracks when they switch electric suppliers.  [465.50 subsections (j) and (k) and 465.55] [Consider sharing anecdote of your experience if applicable.]
  • New “meter aggregation” language at 465.90 provides important accountability for utilities to actually perform a full and fair “consideration” of meter aggregation (or “virtual net metering” / shared solar) proposals

§  Add some discussion of why you think community shared solar is good for Illinois,

§  Add discussion of the types of projects you may be considering or would consider if Illinois improved its policy in this area,

§  State why it is important for utilities to provide a case-by-case consideration and written determination in response to community shared solar / virtual net metering proposals.