65-407-324 Me. Code R. § 9

Current through 2024-25, June 19, 2024
Section 407-324-9 - LEVEL 1 SCREENING CRITERIA AND PROCESS: INVERTER-BASED GENERATORS NOT GREATER THAN 25 KW
A.Interconnection Application. An Applicant shall submit an Interconnection application indicating which certified interconnection equipment the Applicant intends to use. Within five (5) Business Days after receipt, the T&D Utility shall acknowledge to the Applicant receipt of the application and notify the Applicant whether the Interconnection Application is complete, and, if it is not, the T&D Utility shall provide to the Applicant a written list detailing all information that must be provided to complete the application. Within five (5) Business Days after receipt, the T&D Utility shall acknowledge to the Applicant receipt of the application and notify the Applicant that the application is complete or incomplete. If the application is incomplete, the T&D Utility shall provide notice to the Applicant that the application is incomplete and a written list detailing all information that must be provided to complete the application. The Applicant will have ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the list to submit the required information, or to request an extension of time to provide such information. If the Applicant does not comply with this deadline, the application will be deemed withdrawn. An Applicant may include with its application an executed Standard Form Level 1 Interconnection Agreement.
B.Applicable Screens. A facility must pass screens §§ 7(A), 7(E), and 7(I). For interconnections to distribution networks, proposed facilities must also pass screen § 8(A).
C.Time to Process Under Screens. Within ten (10) Business Days after the T&D Utility sends notice to the Applicant that the application is complete, the T&D notify the Applicant whether the ICGF meets all the applicable screens above.
D.Screens Failure. If the ICGF fails one or more of the applicable screens, then the T&D Utility shall provide the Applicant with (1) detailed information on the reason or reasons for failure; (2) the utility's definition of the line section and identification of the automatic sectionalizing device that bounds the line section; (3) aggregated generation on the line section; and (4) a good faith estimate of the costs of additional review in accordance with §9(H). Within five (5) days of such notification, the Applicant may request the application continue to be processed under additional review under Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4..

Notwithstanding a failure of one or more screens, including such failures with or without any Minor System Modifications, the utility, at its sole option, may approve the interconnection provided such approval is consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality, and provided that the Applicant pays all interconnection costs.

E.Approval. The T&D Utility shall send an executable Interconnection Agreement within five (5) Business Days after notifying the Applicant that all the applicable screens have been met.
F.Execution of Agreement. An Applicant that receives an Interconnection Agreement pursuant to this Section shall execute the agreement and return it to the T&D Utility no later than thirty (30) Business days from receiving the Interconnection Agreement (unless the T&D Utility waives this requirement). The Applicant shall indicate the anticipated start date for operation of the ICGF. The Applicant shall not delay the return of an executed Interconnection Agreement more than ninety (90) days beyond the date shown in the original applicant for initial operations except by mutual agreement between the T&D Utility and the Applicant.
G.Default Approval. If a T&D Utility does not notify a Level 1 Applicant in writing or by e-mail whether the interconnection is approved or denied within twenty (20) Business Days after the receipt of an application, the interconnection shall be deemed approved. The twenty (20) Business Days shall begin on the date that the T&D Utility sends the written notice that the application is received.
H. Additional Review. If an ICGF has failed to meet one or more of the Level 1 screens, but additional review may enable the T&D Utility to determine that, with Minor System Modifications, the ICGF can be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality pursuant to §9(D), the T&D Utility shall offer to perform additional review to determine whether Minor System Modifications would enable the interconnection to be made consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality. The T&D Utility shall undertake the additional review only after the Applicant pays for the additional study. Within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of payment for the additional study, the T&D Utility shall provide to the Applicant a non-binding, good faith estimate of the costs of the upgrades.
I.Application Fee. The fee for Level 1 Interconnection applications is $100.

65-407 C.M.R. ch. 324, § 9