TVA Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Metering, Interconnection Standards
September 29, 2006
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- TVA will hold an open house Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bevill Conference Center, 550 Sparkman Drive, in Huntsville to seek public comment on metering and interconnection standards being considered by TVA.
The Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) of 1978 as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires that TVA, as a non-regulated utility and as a regulatory authority in setting rates for each of the distributors of TVA power, consider adopting the new standards. Congress enacted PURPA to promote conservation of energy, efficient use of facilities and resources and equitable rates to customers.
TVA is considering three of five new PURPA standards. The three standards address the availability of net metering service to consumers, time-based smart metering rates for all consumer classes and interconnection service for consumer generation. TVA will consider the remaining two standards, which address fuel diversity and fossil fuel generation efficiency, at a later date. More information about the three standards being considered can be found on TVA’s web site at www.tva.com/purpa.
The net metering standard seeks to assist utility customers willing to invest in eligible generation sources by compensating them for their excess electricity. The smart metering standard seeks to allow utilities to set prices that reflect their cost of supplying electricity throughout the day, which would allow consumers to save on their utility bills by shifting their power usage to lower-priced periods. The interconnection standard seeks to make interconnection services more readily available to non-utility generators of power.
The TVA Board must make a final determination on the suitability of each of the new standards for TVA and distributors of TVA power following a process that includes formal notice, public hearings and the development of an official record. TVA followed a similar process in the late 1970s and early 1980s when it considered other PURPA standards.
Public input on the standards will be made part of the official record, which the Board will review and consider in making the required determinations. At the open house, the public may ask questions and submit comments on the three standards. Comments may be submitted in writing, and a court reporter will be available at each meeting to transcribe verbal comments.
Interested parties also may submit comments on line at www.tva.com/purpa or mail them to Carl Seigenthaler, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1 Century Place, 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214.
In addition to the open house in Huntsville, TVA will hold four other public open house sessions across the Tennessee Valley. The additional sessions will be held at:
- Hopkinsville, Ky., Wednesday, Oct. 4, 3:30 – 7:30 p.m., CDT, James E. Bruce Convention Center, 303 Conference Center Drive
- Knoxville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 3:30 – 7:30 p.m., EDT, Pellissippi State Community College, John Goins Building, 10915 Hardin Valley Road
- Holly Springs, Miss., Thursday, Oct. 12, 3:30 – 7:30 p.m., CDT, Eddie L. Smith Multipurpose Building, 235 North Memphis Street
- Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Wednesday, Oct. 18, 5:-8 p.m., CDT, Middle Tennessee State University, James Union Building
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.6 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.
Media Contact
Frank Rapley, Nashville, (615) 232-6673
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
