Iowa Code 476.48 – Small wind innovation zone program
For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
Terms Used In Iowa Code 476.48
- Commission: means the natural resource commission. See Iowa Code 462A.2
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Internet: means the federated international system that is composed of allied electronic communication networks linked by telecommunication channels, that uses standardized protocols, and that facilitates electronic communication services, including but not limited to use of the world wide web; the transmission of electronic mail or messages; the transfer of files and data or other electronic information; and the transmission of voice, image, and video. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Owner: means a person, other than a lienholder, having the property right in or title to a motorboat or vessel. See Iowa Code 462A.2
- public utility: shall include any person, partnership, business association, or corporation, domestic or foreign, owning or operating any facilities for:a. See Iowa Code 476.1
- Rule: includes "regulation". See Iowa Code 4.1
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Use: means to operate, navigate, or employ a vessel. See Iowa Code 462A.2
- utilities board: means the utilities board within the utilities division of the department of commerce. See Iowa Code 476.1
2.Program established.a. The utilities division shall establish and administer a small wind innovation zone program to optimize local, regional, and state benefits from wind energy and to facilitate and expedite interconnection of small wind energy systems with electric utilities throughout this state. Pursuant to the program, the owner of a small wind energy system located within a small wind innovation zone desiring to interconnect with an electric utility shall benefit from a streamlined application process, may utilize a model interconnection agreement, and can qualify under a model ordinance.b. A political subdivision seeking to be designated a small wind innovation zone shall apply to the division upon a form developed by the division. The division shall approve an application which documents that the applicable local government has adopted the model ordinance or is in the process of amending an existing zoning ordinance to comply with the model ordinance and that an electric utility operating within the political subdivision has agreed to utilize the model interconnection agreement to contract with the small wind energy system owners who agree to its terms.3.Model ordinance.The Iowa league of cities, the Iowa association of counties, the Iowa environmental council, the Iowa wind energy association, and representatives from the utility industry shall consult and develop a model ordinance to be offered on both the Iowa league of cities’ and the Iowa association of counties’ internet sites and made available for use by a local government which constitutes or encompasses a political subdivision that is applying for designation as a small wind innovation zone. A local government adopting the model ordinance shall establish an expedited approval process with regard to small wind energy systems in compliance with the ordinance in order to qualify as a small wind innovation zone.
4.Model interconnection agreement.The utilities board shall develop a model interconnection agreement by June 1, 2010, for utilization within a small wind innovation zone by the owner of a small wind energy system seeking to interconnect with an electric utility. The interconnection agreement shall ensure that the energy produced can be safely interconnected with the utility without causing any adverse or unsafe consequences and is consistent with the electric utility’s resource needs. The board shall establish by rule procedures for modification of the model interconnection agreement upon mutually agreeable terms and conditions in unique or unusual circumstances, subject to board approval. Electric utilities shall consider adopting the model interconnection agreement.
5.Tax credit incentives.The owner of a small wind energy system operating within a small wind innovation zone shall qualify for the renewable energy tax credit pursuant to chapter 476C.
6.Reporting requirements.The division shall prepare a report summarizing the number of applications received from political subdivisions seeking to be designated a small wind innovation zone, the number of applications granted, the number of small wind energy systems generating electricity within each small wind innovation zone, and the amount of wind energy produced, and shall submit the report to the members of the general assembly by January 1 annually.