Proposal would limit renewable energy enrollment and certificate eligibility

Systems that began operating before the section takes effect, or within six months afterward, would remain eligible to enroll and receive renewable energy certificates. This applies to renewable energy systems seeking to join the state renewable portfolio standard program. Systems that begin operating after the six-month window would not be eligible to enroll or receive certificates. The proposal would take effect July 1, 2026. The six-month window would begin on that date.

The proposal would limit how long certain systems could receive renewable energy certificates to 20 years. The limit applies to systems already qualified and receiving certificates before July 1, 2026. A system that had received certificates for more than 15 years by the section’s effective date could receive up to five additional years of credits. The section would take effect July 1, 2026; the five-year extension depends on how long a system had received certificates by that date.

The Department of Energy would reduce required alternative compliance payments each year as the number of eligible systems declines. The reductions would apply to payments required under the renewable portfolio standard program. The act would take effect July 1, 2026. The reductions would be annual and tied to the declining number of eligible systems.