Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.1006

Current through Vol. 24-21, December 1, 2024

Section R. 460.1006 - Distributed generation program application and fees

Rule 106.

(1) An electric utility or alternative electric supplier may use an online distributed generation program application process. An electric utility or alternative electric supplier not using an online application process may utilize a uniform distributed generation program application form that must be approved by the commission. An electric utility's distributed generation program application may be combined with an electric utility's interconnection application.

(2) A customer taking retail electric service from an electric utility and applying to participate in the distributed generation program shall concurrently submit a completed distributed generation program application and interconnection application or indicate on the distributed generation program application the date that the customer applied for interconnection with the electric utility and, if applicable, the date the customer received authorization to operate in parallel pursuant to R 460.968. All of the following requirements apply:

(a) When a distributed generation program application is accompanied by an associated interconnection application, an electric utility may complete its review of the distributed generation program application before, during, or after processing the interconnection application pursuant to part 2 of these rules, R 460.911 to R 460.992. Both of the following requirements apply:

(i) Combined with the notification of interconnection application completeness and conformance pursuant to R 460.936, an electric utility shall notify the customer whether the distributed generation program application is accepted, and provide an opportunity for the customer to remedy any application deficiencies pursuant to the timelines in R 460.936(7)(b) or withdraw the application. If the customer fails to remedy the application deficiencies within the timelines in R 460.936(7)(b), the electric utility may consider the distributed generation program application withdrawn without refund of the application fees.

(ii) While processing the interconnection application, which may include, but is not limited to, R 460.946 fast track initial review, the electric utility shall determine whether the appropriate meter is installed for the distributed generation program.

(b) If a distributed generation program application is filed with an already in-progress interconnection application, the electric utility may process the distributed generation program application in parallel with the interconnection application pursuant to part 2 of these rules, R 460.911 to R 460.992, subdivision (2) of this subrule, if practicable, or adopt the review process pursuant to subdivision (c) of this subrule.

(c) If a distributed generation program application is filed with an in-progress interconnection application and the electric utility determines it is not practicable to process the distributed generation program application in parallel with the interconnection application or the distributed generation application is filed subsequent to the customer receiving authorization to operate its eligible generator in parallel pursuant to R 460.968, the electric utility shall process the distributed generation program application pursuant to all of the following:

(i) The electric utility has 10 business days to review the distributed generation program application and determine whether to accept the application pursuant to the timelines in R 460.936(6) and (7). The timelines in R 460.936(7)(a) apply to utility notifications. The electric utility shall provide the customer an opportunity to remedy any application deficiencies pursuant to R 460.936(7)(b). If the customer fails to remedy the application deficiencies within the timelines in R 460.936(7)(b), the electric utility may consider the distributed generation program application withdrawn without refund of the application fees.

(ii) Within 10 business days of providing notification to the customer that the distributed generation program application has been accepted, the electric utility shall determine whether the appropriate meter, or meters, is installed for the distributed generation program.

(d) If a customer approved for participation in the distributed generation program requires a new or additional meter or meters, the electric utility shall arrange with the customer to install the meter or meters at a mutually agreed upon time.

(e) The electric utility shall complete changes to the customer's account to permit distributed generation program credit to be applied to the account no more than 10 business days after the necessary meter is installed and all necessary steps in R 460.966 are completed.

(3) A customer taking retail electric service from an alternative electric supplier shall submit a completed distributed generation program application to the alternative electric supplier and provide a copy to the electric utility that provides distribution service. All of the following requirements apply:

(a) The alternative electric supplier shall process the distributed generation program application according to the applicable timelines in subrule (2)(a) through (d) of this rule.

(b) The electric utility shall notify the alternative electric supplier when it has provided the applicant authorization to operate the eligible electric generator in parallel pursuant to R 460.968 and, if applicable, that installation of the appropriate meter or meters is completed.

(c) Within 10 business days of the electric utility's notification, the alternative electric supplier shall complete changes to the applicant's account to permit distributed generation program credit to be applied to the account.

(4) If a distributed generation program application is not approved by the alternative electric supplier, the alternative electric supplier shall notify the customer and the electric utility of the reasons for the disapproval. The alternative electric supplier shall provide the customer an opportunity to remedy the deficiency pursuant to the timelines in R 460.936(7)(b) or withdraw the application. If the customer fails to remedy the application deficiencies within the timelines in R 460.936(7)(b), the alternative electric supplier and electric utility may consider the distributed generation program application withdrawn without refund of the application fees.

(5) If a customer's distributed generation program application is approved, the customer shall have a completed and approved installation within 6 months from the date the customer's application is considered complete, or the electric utility or alternative electric supplier may consider the application withdrawn without refund and shall have no further responsibility with respect to the application.

(6) The distributed generation program application fee for electric utilities and alternative electric suppliers shall not exceed $50. The electric utility shall specify the fee on the electric utility's distributed generation program tariff sheet or in the alternative electric supplier's distributed generation program plan.

(7) The customer shall pay all interconnection costs pursuant to part 2 of these rules, R 460.911 to R 460.992, which include all electric utility costs associated with the customer's interconnection that are not a distributed generation program application fee, excluding meter costs as described in R 460.1012 and R 460.1014.

Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.1006

2023 MR 8, Eff. 4/25/2023