NC H589

Reforms small power producer standards by aligning definitions with federal law and establishing standard contracts for facilities up to 1,000 kilowatts, with eligibility thresholds reduced to 100 kilowatts once utilities reach 100 megawatts of aggregate capacity from agreements established after November 15, 2016.

Requires electric public utilities serving over 150,000 customers to competitively procure 2,660 megawatts of renewable energy capacity over 45 months, with utilities able to own up to 30% of procured resources and costs capped by avoided cost methodology.

Establishes the Distributed Resources Access Act to enable solar energy facility leasing and community solar programs, with leasing regulated through Commission-issued certificates and net metering rates set by the Commission to ensure customers pay full fixed service costs.

Creates direct renewable energy procurement program for major military installations, UNC system, and large customers (1+ megawatt demand) with up to 600 megawatts available through December 31, 2022, with 100 megawatts reserved for military installations and 250 megawatts for UNC.

Implements a two-year moratorium on wind energy facility permits (January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018) while the state studies impacts on military operations, with exceptions for facilities with prior FAA determinations or completed applications submitted before January 1, 2017.