HB2527

THE CONTEXT: The Commission has supervisory and regulatory jurisdiction over public service corporations, including but not limited to electric utilities and electric generation facilities ( A. R.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would prohibit the Commission from authorizing the retirement of an electric generation facility unless there is a new electric generation facility with equal or greater power generation, require the Commission to: a) prioritize new electric generation facilities that are from dispatchable sources; and b) project to increase the dispatchable electricity in this state by at least 5% between 2025 and, and outlines actions of the Commission if federal regulations would require the upgrade or closure of an existing power plant.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to set a clear legal boundary for corporation commission instead of leaving the conduct unaddressed. It would prohibit the Commission from authorizing the retirement of an electric generation facility unless there is a new electric generation facility with equal or greater power generation, and would also require the Commission to: a) prioritize new electric generation facilities that are from dispatchable sources; and b) project to increase the dispatchable electricity in this state by at least 5% between 2025 and, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.