Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-45.10

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

Rule 199-45.10 - Level 3 expedited review

A utility shall use the Level 3 expedited review procedure for an interconnection request that meets the criteria in subrule 45.7(3) or 45.7(4). A utility may not impose additional requirements for Level 3 reviews not specifically authorized under this rule or rule 199-45.3 (476) unless the applicant agrees.

(1) A Level 3 interconnection shall use the following procedures:

a. The applicant shall submit an interconnection request using the Levels 2 to 4 Interconnection Request Application form along with the Level 3 application fee.

b. Within ten business days after receiving the interconnection request, the utility shall inform the applicant as to whether the interconnection request is complete. If the request is incomplete, the utility shall specify what materials are missing and the applicant has ten business days to provide the missing information, or the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn.

c. After an interconnection request is deemed complete, the utility shall assign a review order position to it based upon the date the interconnection request is determined to be complete. The utility shall then inform the applicant of its review order position.

d. If, after determining that the interconnection request is complete, the utility determines that it needs additional information to evaluate the distributed generation facility's adverse system impact, the utility shall request this information. The utility may not restart the review process or alter the applicant's review order position because it requires the additional information. The utility can extend the time to finish its evaluation only to the extent the delay is required for receipt of the additional information. If this additional information is not provided by the applicant within 15 business days, the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn.

e. Interconnection requests meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph 45.7(3)"a" for nonexporting distributed generation facilities interconnecting to an area network shall be presumed to be appropriate for interconnection. The utility shall process the interconnection requests using the following procedures:

(1) The utility shall evaluate the interconnection request under Level 2 interconnection review procedures as set forth in subrule 45.9(1) except that the utility has 25 business days to evaluate the interconnection request against the screens to determine whether interconnecting the distributed generation facility to the utility's area network has any potential adverse system impacts.

(2) If the Level 2 screens for area networks identify potential adverse system impacts, the utility may determine at its sole discretion that it is inappropriate for the distributed generation facility to interconnect to the area network under Level 3 review, and the interconnection request is denied. The applicant may submit a new interconnection request for consideration under Level 4 procedures at the review order position assigned to the Level 3 interconnection request, if the request is made within 15 business days after notification that the current application is denied.

f. For interconnection requests that meet the requirements of paragraph 45.7(3)"b" for nonexporting distributed generation facilities interconnecting to a radial distribution circuit, the utility shall evaluate the interconnection request under the Level 2 expedited review in subrule 45.9(1), except for the screen in paragraph 45.9(1)"a."

(2) For a distributed generation facility that satisfies the criteria in paragraph 45.10(1)"e" or 45.10(1)"f," the utility shall approve the interconnection request and provide the applicant with the Levels 2 to 4 Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement within three business days of the date the utility makes its determination.

(3) Within 30 business days after issuance by the utility of the Levels 2 to 4 Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement, the applicant shall complete, sign, and return the agreement to the utility. If the applicant does not sign the agreement within 30 business days, the request shall be deemed withdrawn, unless the applicant requests a 15 -business-day extension in writing before the end of the 30-day period. An initial request for extension may not be denied by the utility. After the agreement is signed by the parties, interconnection of the distributed generation facility shall proceed according to any milestones agreed to by the parties in the Levels 2 to 4 Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement.

(4) The Levels 2 to 4 Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement shall not be final until:

a. All requirements in the agreement are satisfied; and

b. The distributed generation facility is approved by the electric code officials with jurisdiction over the distributed generation facility; and

c. The applicant provides the Certificate of Completion form to the utility; and

d. The witness test has either been successfully completed or waived by the utility in accordance with Article 2.1.1 of the Levels 2 to 4 Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement.

(5) If the distributed generation facility is not approved under a Level 3 review, the utility shall provide the applicant with written notification explaining its reasons for denying the interconnection request. The applicant may submit a new interconnection request for consideration under a Level 4 interconnection review. The review order position assigned to the Level 3 interconnection request shall be retained, provided that the request is made within 15 business days after notification that the current interconnection request is denied.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-45.10

ARC 8859B, lAB 6/16/10, effective 7/21/10

Amended by IAB January 18, 2017/Volume XXXIX, Number 15, effective 2/22/2017