Biennial Determination of Avoided Cost Rates For
Electric Utility Purchases From
Qualifying Facilities
Docket No. E-100 Sub 175
Public Witness Hearing
7:00 p.m., February 22, 2022
Hearing Room 2115, Dobbs Building,
430 N Salisbury Street, Raleigh
The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) requires electric utilities to buy electricity from cogeneration and small power production facilities that obtain “qualifying facility” (QF) status. The North Carolina Utilities Commission sets the rates to be paid for this electricity, and it is required to do so in a manner that is just and reasonable to the ratepayers of the electric utility and in the public interest. The rates cannot discriminate against co-generators or small power producers, and they cannot exceed the incremental cost to the electric utility of acquiring electricity elsewhere. The Commission determines on a biennial basis the avoided cost rates and conditions for the purchase of electricity by electric utilities from qualifying cogeneration and small power production facilities.
The Commission has scheduled this hearing to take public comments on potential revisions to the avoided cost rates and contract terms previously set by the Commission (see the Commission’s order in Docket No. E-100 Sub 167) for the purchase of electricity by electric utilities from QFs. Here is information on how to provide testimony before the Commission. People who simply want to observe the hearing may do so via the YouTube link on our home page. The public can also send comments to the Commission via email, or by mailing a statement to the address below. In either case, be sure to include the docket number of this proceeding in the subject line. Comments and statements will made part of the official record in this proceeding and can be viewed via this website within two or three business days.
The Public Staff – North Carolina Utilities Commission is a separate, independent agency that represents the using and consuming public in matters before the Commission, including rate change requests like this one. You can send the Public Staff a statement, or ask them a question, via email.