Guam Renewable Energy Bill Gets Mixed Reaction

While renewable energy producers supported the intent of Bill 363-33, the Guam Power Authority and regulatory agencies expressed concerns over certain provisions included in the measure, which seeks to require the utility agency to develop and file a proposed community-based renewable energy tariff for virtual net metering subject to public utilities commission approval.

Also known as the “Community Equal Access to Affordable Renewable Energy Act of 2016,” the measure introduced by Sen. Dennis Rodriguez seeks to implement a community-based program which it calls a “virtual net metering” by dramatically expanding the market for eligible renewable energy resources to include residential and business renters, occupants of residential and commercial buildings with shaded or improperly oriented roofs, and other groups who are unable to access the benefits of onsite renewable energy generation.

Bill Would Remove Solar Power Cap in Guam

Guam agencies, commercial entities and private residents may be able to supplant even more of their energy use with solar power due to a measure proposing to pave the way for virtual net-metering. If enacted, Bill 363-33 would overhaul several aspects of Guam law regarding renewable energy and net metering, including doubling the cap for a residential customer's entrance capacity from 25 kilowatts to 50 KW. For nonresidential customers, the bill removes the current cap of 100 KW altogether. However, agencies must still adhere to law requiring approval from the Guam Power Authority to utilize renewable energy, according to the bill's main sponsor, Sen. Dennis Rodriguez Jr.