Section 476.58. Safety of distributed generation facilities — disconnection device required — rules.

  1.  For purposes of this section:

  a.  “Disconnection device” means a lockable visual disconnect or other disconnection device capable of disconnecting and de-energizing the residual voltage in a distributed generation facility.

  b.  “Distributed generation facility” means any of the following:

  (1)  A cogeneration facility or a small power production facility that is a qualifying facility under 18 C.F.R. pt. 292, subpt. B, used by an interconnection customer to generate electricity that operates in parallel with the electric distribution system, and that typically includes an electric generator and the equipment required to interconnect safely with the electric distribution system or local electric power system.

  (2)  An alternate energy production facility as defined in section 476.42.

  (3)  A small hydro facility as defined in section 476.42.

  c.  “Electric distribution system” means the facilities and equipment owned and operated by an electric utility that are used to transmit electricity to ultimate usage points from interchanges with higher voltage transmission networks which transport bulk power over long distances and that generally operate at less than one hundred kilovolts of electricity.

  d.  “Electric meter” means a device used by an electric utility that measures and registers the integral of an electrical quantity with respect to time.

  e.  “Electric utility” means a public utility that furnishes electricity to the public for compensation.

  f.  “Interconnection customer” means a person that interconnects a distributed generation facility to an electric distribution system.

  2.  Consistent with the board’s safety jurisdiction pursuant to section 476.1, the board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A relating to the safe installation and operation of interconnections between distributed generation facilities and electric distribution systems. The rules shall include but not be limited to the following:

  a.  For installations placed in service on or after July 1, 2015, a requirement that a disconnection device be installed at a location that is easily visible and adjacent to an interconnection customer’s electric meter. For installations placed in service prior to July 1, 2015, a requirement that an interconnection customer provide and attach a permanent placard at the electric meter that clearly identifies the presence and location of disconnection devices for distributed generation facilities on the property.

  b.  A requirement that interconnection customers notify local paid or volunteer fire departments of the location of distributed generation facilities and associated disconnection devices upon completion of installation and procedures for such notifications.

  c.  Procedures for electric utilities to deny or disconnect service for safety reasons to a person who does not comply with rules adopted pursuant to this subsection.

  3.  Procedures and requirements provided in rules adopted pursuant to subsection 2 shall apply to all electric utilities and all interconnection customers in this state. However, only those rule provisions concerning interconnections between distributed generation facilities and electric distribution systems and safety issues shall apply to utilities over which the board’s jurisdiction is limited by section 476.1A or 476.1B.

  4.  This section shall not be construed to expand the board’s jurisdiction over a utility over which the board’s jurisdiction is limited by section 476.1A or 476.1B. This section shall not be construed to authorize the board to require that an installation or connection of a distributed generation facility, disconnection device, or interconnection between a distributed generation facility and an electric distribution system be performed by a licensed electrician, installer, or professional engineer. This section shall not be construed to require inspection of a distributed generation facility, disconnection device, or interconnection between a distributed generation facility and an electric distribution system pursuant to chapter 103.

2015 Acts, ch 91, §1

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