Net Metering

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5223, which requires electric utilities in the state to provide information to the WSU Energy Program concerning their progress on reaching the cumulative generating capacity available to net metering systems in their service territories as specified in the bill. That capacity is defined as achieved when the cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems reaches four percent of the utility’s peak demand in 1996. This information is to be provided semiannually by each utility and is to be posted on the WSU Energy Program website.

Utilities that reach the available generating capacity prior to June 30, 2029 have the option of developing a standard rate or tariff schedule that deviates from the net metering requirements of RCW 80.60.030. Investor-owned utilities’ proposals are to be reviewed by the Utilities and Transportation Commission. Consumer-owned utilities’ proposals are to be reviewed by their governing body, however they must notify the WSU Energy Program sixty days in advance of when a standard rate for an eligible customer-generator is first placed on the agenda of the utility’s governing body. The WSU Energy Program is required to list utilities that have provided notice of a rate or tariff schedule under this subsection; as well as those that have adopted a standard rate or tariff schedule under this law.

The table below provides a summary by utility of each utility’s progress toward that cumulative generating capacity, and if they have achieved it, whether they have implemented a policy that deviates from net metering as set forth in RCW 80.60.030. For more detail on each utility’s status, follow this link.