HB 429 Summary

• Establishes the "Mississippi Renewable Energy Development Act of 2010" to encourage renewable energy development through net-metering programs in Mississippi.

• Requires electric utilities to allow net-metering facilities (solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, or biomass) up to 25 kW for residential use or 300 kW for other uses to interconnect using bidirectional meters.

• Directs the Public Service Commission to establish rates, terms, and conditions for net-metering contracts and may authorize utilities to charge higher fees if direct interconnection costs exceed distribution system and public policy benefits.

• Requires utilities to credit net-metering customers for any accumulated net excess generation in the next billing period, with unused credits expiring at the end of each annual billing cycle.

• Establishes that renewable energy credits generated by net-metering customers are the property of those customers and cannot be claimed by the utility.