Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-15.22

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 5, September 4, 2024

Rule 199-15.22 - Small wind innovation zones

(1)Definitions. For purposes of this rule:

"Electric utility" means a public utility that furnishes electricity to the public for compensation.

"Model interconnection agreement" means the applicable standard interconnection agreement under 199-Chapter 45.

"Model ordinance" means the model ordinance developed pursuant to Iowa Code section 476.48(3), which when adopted will be posted on the websites of the Iowa League of Cities at www.iowaleague.org and the Iowa State Association of Counties at www.iowacounties.org.

"Small wind energy system" means a wind energy conversion system that collects and converts wind into energy to generate electricity, which has a nameplate generating capacity of 100 kilowatts or less. A small wind energy system located in a small wind innovation zone but in the exclusive service territory of an electric utility that is not subject to 199-Chapter 45 and has not adopted the standard forms, procedures, and interconnection agreements in 199-Chapter 45 is not eligible for the streamlined application process referred to in Iowa Code section 476.48(2)"a."

"Small wind innovation zone" means a political subdivision of this state, including but not limited to a city, county, township, school district, community college, area education agency, institution under the control of the state board of regents, or any other local commission, association, or tribal council which adopts, or is encompassed within a local government which adopts, the model ordinance.

(2)Application for small wind innovation zone designation. A political subdivision of this state, including but not limited to a city, county, township, school district, community college, area education agency, institution under the control of the state board of regents, or any other local commission, association, or tribal council, may apply to the commission for designation as a small wind innovation zone under Iowa Code section 476.48. The application must include the following information:

a. The name, location, description, and legal boundary of the political subdivision seeking designation as a small wind innovation zone;

b. Contact information for the applicant filing on behalf of the political subdivision, including legal name, address, telephone number, and, as applicable, facsimile transmission number and electronic mail address;

c. If the political subdivision is other than a local government:

(1) Identification of the local government (or governments) that encompasses the political subdivision;

(2) Confirmation that all identified local governments have either adopted or are about to adopt the model ordinance, including copies of model ordinances adopted by the local governments, or copies of pending amendments to existing zoning ordinances intended to comply with the model ordinance; and

(3) Dates the model ordinances were adopted or anticipated dates of adoption of pending amendments to existing zoning ordinances intended to comply with the model ordinance;

d. If the political subdivision is a local government:

(1) A copy of the model ordinance adopted by the local government or copy of a pending amendment to an existing zoning ordinance intended to comply with the model ordinance; and

(2) Date the model ordinance was adopted or anticipated date of adoption of the pending amendment to an existing zoning ordinance intended to comply with the model ordinance;

e. Identification of the electric utilities that provide service within the political subdivision; and

f. Documentation from each electric utility that provides service within the political subdivision confirming that the electric utility is serving the political subdivision and that the utility is either:

(1) A utility subject to the provisions of 199-Chapter 45; or

(2) A utility not subject to the provisions of 199-Chapter 45, but which nonetheless agrees to use the standard forms, procedures, and standard interconnection agreements of 199-Chapter 45 for small wind energy systems in its service territory within the political subdivision; or

(3) A utility that is not subject to the provisions of 199-Chapter 45 and has not adopted them.

Note: Electric utilities shall provide political subdivisions the documentation required in paragraph 15.22(2)"f."

(3)Motion for modification of a model interconnection agreement in a small wind innovation zone. An electric utility that uses the standard interconnection agreements in 199-Chapter 45 and the owner of a small wind energy system in a small wind innovation zone may jointly seek to modify their version of the model interconnection agreement by jointly filing a motion for commission approval. The motion must include the following information:

a. The name, location, and description of the political subdivision designated as a small wind innovation zone;

b. The interconnecting electric utility;

c. Information regarding the owner of the small wind energy system, including legal name, address, telephone number, and, as applicable, facsimile transmission number and electronic mail address;

d. Description of the small wind energy system, including location and nameplate generating capacity;

e. A copy of the modified interconnection agreement clearly identifying the proposed modifications;

f. A description of the reasons and circumstances that require the modifications; and

g. Signed statements from the electric utility and the owner of the small wind energy system attesting that the proposed modifications to the interconnection agreement are mutually agreeable.

(4)Annual reporting requirement. A current listing of small wind innovation zones shall be maintained on the commission's website at www.state.ia.us/iuc. Beginning April 1, 2011, each electric utility that has one or more small wind innovation zones in its service territory shall file an annual report for the previous calendar year listing the nameplate kW capacity of each small wind energy system that was interconnected (or previously interconnected) with the utility and produced electricity in each of the small wind innovation zones served by the utility. The information shall be provided in the following format:

Small Wind Innovation Zone

Customer Name

Nameplate kW Capacity

Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-15.22

ARC 8949B, lAB 7/28/10, effective 9/1/10

Editorial change: IAC Supplement 7/24/2024