SB 875 Summary

• Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may solicit proposals for offshore wind energy to meet up to 15 percent of the state's electric distribution load, either alone or in coordination with other states, with solicitations informed by the Integrated Resources Plan.

• Selected offshore wind contracts must require prevailing wage payments for U.S. construction activities and good faith project labor agreement negotiations, with power purchase agreements not to exceed 20 years.

• Commissioner shall consider ratepayer costs, grid reliability, economic development impacts, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and consistency with state energy strategies when selecting proposals.

• Public Utilities Regulatory Authority must approve agreements within 120 days, determining they are adequate, reliable, prudent, cost-effective, and from qualified respondents, with net costs recovered through fully reconciling electric rates.

• Renewable energy certificate requirements increase from 21 percent Class I renewable energy in 2020 to 40 percent by January 1, 2030, with additional Class I or Class II renewable sources required annually.