Nevada lawmakers pass bills for storage incentives, possible mandate

Dive Brief:

Lawmakers in Nevada's House and Senate have approved a slate of clean energy bills that will now head to Gov. Brian Sandoval’s (R) desk, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
The bills would establish incentives for the installation of energy storage associated with solar systems, direct the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to consider energy storage mandates, and boost energy efficiency funding for low income residents.
Assemblyman Justin Watkins (D) has also introduced a measure bill that would restore net metering to all customers, but there have been no votes and no hearings are scheduled.

Dive Insight:

Nevada lawmakers have advanced an array of energy legislation, with a particular focus on energy storage.

Senate Bill 204 would direct state regulators to consider requiring utilities to purchase energy storage in the next couple of years, and Senate Bill 145 would establish an incentive program for energy storage within the state's solar program. It would also create incentives for the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

"The Legislature hereby finds and declares that it is the policy of this State to expand and accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure throughout this State," SB 145 reads.

Assembly Bill 223 directs utilities to develop efficiency and conservation plans, with at least 5% dedicated to low-income customers.

“If we allow for more energy efficiency toward all Nevadans, especially the lower-income Nevadans that are suffering from higher energy costs, we stand to save over $3.4 billion over a period of 10 years,” Assemblyman William McCurdy II (D) told the Las Vegas Sun.

Senate Bill 314 makes changes to the siting of wind turbines to ensure uniformity of standards.

However, Watkins' Assembly Bill 270, which would restore net metering to the entire state, has seen little action. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor. It would direct regulators to revisit the value of solar debate, but requires a base export rate of at least $0.09/kWh. The PUCN reduced its retail net metering in 2015, but has since partially restored the full rate to a small portion of ratepayers in the state's northern part.