HB 2027 Summary

• Creates the Arkansas Distributed Generation Act of 2017 as a new subchapter (23-18-1101 through 23-18-1108) to promote renewable energy development and use in Arkansas

• Requires each electric utility to consider and include purchases of electric energy and capacity from renewable electric generation facilities (solar, wind, water, geothermal, biomass, agricultural waste, or landfill waste) with capacity not exceeding 20 megawatts in their resource plans

• Directs the Arkansas Public Service Commission to approve distributed generation contracts if they satisfy statutory requirements, are reasonable and prudent in cost, serve public convenience and necessity, and enable utilities to supplement or replace existing generation resources

• Assigns all interconnection costs and metering upgrade costs exclusively to the renewable electric generation facility, including costs related to system modifications and reliability impacts

• Allows the Public Service Commission to permit utilities to recover reasonable and prudent costs associated with approved distributed generation contracts