S.B. 72 Summary

• Requires the Public Utilities Commission to approve, approve with modifications, or deny applications for utility-scale renewable energy projects (5 megawatts or larger), power purchase agreements, grid connection projects, and infrastructure cost recovery within 180 days of filing for applications submitted on or after July 1, 2023.

• Establishes procedural requirements for applications including standard information, prior government agency approvals, and allows parties to request mutually agreed extensions; if the commission fails to decide within 180 days, it must report reasons to the legislature and governor within 30 days.

• Exempts subsequent amendments to previously approved renewable power purchase agreements from commission review and approval if they reduce costs, meet affordability benchmarks, contain no operational limitations, and extend the agreement for no more than five years.

• Requires utilities requesting power purchase agreement amendments to submit informational filings to the commission and affected parties; filings are available for public review for two months and require no further action unless filing requirements are unmet or public concerns arise.

• Does not apply to member-owned cooperative electric utilities; effective date is July 1, 2050.