§ 8007. Small renewable energy plants; simplified procedures

(a) The same application form, rules, and procedures that the Commission applies to net metering systems of 150 kilowatts (kW) or less under sections 248 and 8010 of this title shall apply to the review under section 248 of this title of any renewable energy plant with a plant capacity of 150 kW or less and to the interconnection of such a plant with the system of a Vermont retail electricity provider. This requirement includes any waivers of criteria under section 248 of this title made pursuant to section 8010 of this title.

(b) With respect to renewable energy plants that have a plant capacity that is greater than 150 kW and is 2.2 MW or less, the Commission shall establish by rule or order standards and procedures governing application for, and issuance or revocation of, a certificate of public good for such a plant under the provisions of section 248 of this title, and the interconnection of such a plant with the system of a Vermont retail electricity provider.

(1) In developing such rules or orders, the Commission:

(A) Shall waive the requirements of section 248 of this title that are not applicable to such a plant, including, for a plant that is not owned by a Vermont retail electricity provider, criteria that are generally applicable to such a provider.

(B) May modify notice and hearing requirements of this title as it deems appropriate.

(C) Shall simplify the petition and review process as appropriate.

(2) Notwithstanding 1 V.S.A. §§ 213 and 214, a petitioner whose petition under section 248 of this title is pending as of the effective date of a Commission rule or order under this subsection (b) may elect to apply the standards and procedures of such a rule or order to the pending petition if the petition pertains to a renewable energy plant with a plant capacity that is greater than 150 kW and is 2.2 MW or less.