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Chapter 480-108 WAC

Last Update: 6/7/23

ELECTRIC COMPANIES—INTERCONNECTION WITH ELECTRIC GENERATORS

WAC Sections

HTMLPDF480-108-001Purpose and scope.
HTMLPDF480-108-005Application of rules.
HTMLPDF480-108-010Definitions.
PART 1: INTERCONNECTION OF GENERATION FACILITIES UNDER TIER 1, TIER 2, OR TIER 3 PROCEDURES
HTMLPDF480-108-015Scope of Part 1.
HTMLPDF480-108-020Eligibility and technical requirements for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 interconnection.
HTMLPDF480-108-030Application for interconnection.
PART 2: GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR INTERCONNECTIONS
HTMLPDF480-108-040General terms and conditions of interconnection.
HTMLPDF480-108-050Completion of interconnection process.
HTMLPDF480-108-080Interconnection service tariffs.
HTMLPDF480-108-100Dispute resolution.
HTMLPDF480-108-110Required filings—Exceptions.
HTMLPDF480-108-120Cumulative effects of interconnections.
HTMLPDF480-108-999Adoption by reference.
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
480-108-035Model interconnection agreement, review and acceptance of interconnection agreements and costs. [Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-035, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.] Repealed by WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.
480-108-055Dispute resolution. [Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-055, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.] Repealed by WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.
480-108-060Required filings—Exceptions. [Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-060, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07; WSR 06-07-017 (Docket No. UE-051106, General Order No. R-528), § 480-108-060, filed 3/6/06, effective 4/6/06.] Repealed by WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.
480-108-065Cumulative effects of interconnections with a nameplate capacity rating of 300 kW or less. [Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-065, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.] Repealed by WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.
480-108-070Scope of Part 2. [Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-070, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.] Repealed by WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.
480-108-090Alternative interconnection service tariff. [Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-090, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.] Repealed by WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.

PDF480-108-001

Purpose and scope.

(1) This chapter establishes rules for:
(a) Determining the charges, terms and conditions governing the interconnection of customer-owned electric generating facilities with a nameplate generating capacity of no more than 20 megawatts (MW) to the electric system of an electrical company over which the commission has jurisdiction.
(b) Requiring each electrical company to file interconnection service tariffs for interconnection of some electric generating facilities to the electric system of an electrical company over which the commission has jurisdiction. The terms and conditions in such interconnection service tariffs must be either equivalent in all procedural and technical respects with the electrical company's interconnection service offered under its open access transmission tariff approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or they must be consistent with this chapter.
(2) These rules are intended:
(a) To be consistent with the requirements of chapter 80.60 RCW, Net metering of electricity;
(b) To comply with Section 1254 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58 (2005) that amended section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) relating to Net Metering (subsection 11) and Interconnection (subsection 15).
(3) This chapter governs the terms and conditions under which an interconnection customer's generating facility, including without limitation net-metered facilities, will interconnect with, and operate in parallel with, the electric system. This chapter does not govern the settlement, purchase or delivery of any power generated by an interconnection customer's net-metered or production-metered generating facility.
(4) This chapter does not govern interconnection of, or electrical company services to, PURPA qualifying facilities pursuant to chapter 480-107 WAC.
(5) This chapter does not govern standby generators designed and used only to provide power to the customer when electrical company service is interrupted and that operate in parallel with the electric system for less than 0.5 seconds both to and from emergency service.
(6) The specifications and requirements in these rules are intended to mitigate possible adverse impacts caused by a generating facility on electrical company equipment and personnel and on other customers of the electrical company. They are not intended to address protection of the interconnection customer's generating facility, facility personnel, or internal load. It is the responsibility of the interconnection customer to comply with the requirements of all appropriate standards, codes, statutes and authorities to protect its own facilities, personnel, and loads.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-001, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-001, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07; WSR 06-07-017 (Docket No. UE-051106, General Order No. R-528), § 480-108-001, filed 3/6/06, effective 4/6/06.]


PDF480-108-005

Application of rules.

(1) This chapter applies to any electrical company subject to commission jurisdiction under RCW 80.04.010 and chapter 80.28 RCW. This chapter also includes eligibility and other requirements applicable to existing or potential interconnection customers.
(2) This chapter governs interconnections subject to the jurisdiction of the commission and does not govern interconnections subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
(3) The tariff provisions filed by electrical companies must conform to these rules. If the commission accepts a tariff that conflicts with these rules, the acceptance does not constitute a waiver of these rules unless the commission specifically approves the variation consistent with WAC 480-100-008.
(4) Electrical companies shall modify existing tariffs, if necessary, to conform to these rules. This includes, but is not limited to, tariffs implementing chapter 80.60 RCW, Net metering of electricity.
(5) Disputes that arise under this chapter will be addressed in accordance with chapter 480-07 WAC. Any existing or potential interconnection customer may ask the commission to review the interpretation or application of these rules by an electrical company by making an informal complaint under WAC 480-07-910, Informal complaints, or by filing a formal complaint under WAC 480-07-370, Pleadings—General.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-005, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-005, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07; WSR 06-07-017 (Docket No. UE-051106, General Order No. R-528), § 480-108-005, filed 3/6/06, effective 4/6/06.]


PDF480-108-010

Definitions.

"Application" means the written notice as defined in WAC 480-108-030 that the interconnection customer provides to the electrical company to start the interconnection process.
"Business day" means Monday through Friday excluding official federal and state holidays.
"Certificate of completion" means the form described in WAC 480-108-050(2) that must be completed by the interconnection customer's electrical inspector and approved by the electrical company indicating completion of installation and inspection of the interconnection.
"Commission" means the Washington utilities and transportation commission.
"Electric system" means all electrical wires, equipment, and other facilities owned by the electrical company used to transmit electricity to customers.
"Electrical company" means any public service company, as defined by RCW 80.04.010, engaged in the generation, distribution, sale or furnishing of electricity and subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.
"Generating facility" means a source of electricity owned, or whose electrical output is owned, by the interconnection customer that is located on the interconnection customer's side of the point of common coupling, and all ancillary and appurtenant facilities, including interconnection facilities, which the interconnection customer requests to interconnect to the electric system.
"Initial operation" means the first time the generating facility operates in parallel with the electric system.
"Interconnection" means the physical connection of a generating facility to the electric system so that parallel operation may occur.
"Interconnection agreement" means an agreement between an electrical company and the interconnection customer which outlines the interconnection requirements, costs and billing agreements, insurance requirements, and ongoing inspection, maintenance, and operational requirements.
"Interconnection customer" means the person, corporation, partnership, government agency, or other entity that proposes to interconnect, or has executed an interconnection agreement with the electrical company. The interconnection customer must:
(a) Own a generating facility interconnected to the electric system;
(b) Be a customer-generator of net-metered facilities, as defined in RCW 80.60.010(2); or
(c) Otherwise be authorized to interconnect by law.
The interconnection customer is responsible for the generating facility, and may assign to another party responsibility for compliance with the requirements of this rule only with the express written permission of the electrical company. A net metered interconnection customer may lease a generating facility from, or purchase power from, a third-party owner of an on-site generating facility.
"Interconnection facilities" means the electrical wires, switches and other equipment owned by the electrical company or the interconnection customer and used to interconnect a generating facility to the electric system. Interconnection facilities are located between the generating facility and the point of common coupling. Interconnection facilities do not include system upgrades.
"Islanding" means the condition that occurs when power from the electric system is no longer present and the generating facility continues exporting energy onto the electric system.
"Minor modification" means a physical modification to the electric system with a cost of no more than ten thousand dollars.
"Nameplate capacity" means the manufacturer's output capacity of the generating facility. For a system that uses an inverter to change DC energy supplied to an AC quantity, the nameplate capacity will be the manufacturer's AC output rating for the inverter(s). Nameplate capacities shall be measured in the unit of kilowatts.
"Net metering," as defined in RCW 80.60.010, means measuring the difference between the electricity supplied by an electrical company and the electricity generated by a generating facility that is fed back to the electrical company over the applicable billing period.
"Network protectors" means devices installed on a network distribution system designed to detect and interrupt reverse current-flow (flow out of the network) as quickly as possible, typically within three to six cycles.
"Parallel operation" or "operate in parallel" means the synchronous operation of a generating facility while interconnected with an electric system.
"Point of common coupling" means the point where the generating facility's local electric power system connects to the electric system, such as the electric power revenue meter or at the location of the equipment designated to interrupt, separate or disconnect the connection between the generating facility and electrical company. The point of common coupling is the point of measurement for the application of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standard (IEEE) 1547.
"System upgrades" means the additions, modifications and upgrades to the electric system at or beyond the point of common coupling necessary to interconnect the generating facility. System upgrades do not include interconnection facilities.
"Third-party owner" means an entity that owns a generating facility located on the premises of an interconnection customer and has entered into a contract with the interconnection customer for provision of power from the generating facility. When a third-party owns a net-metered generating facility, the interconnection customer maintains the net metering relationship with the electrical company. A third-party owner does not resell electricity produced from a net metered generating facility.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-010, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-010, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07; WSR 06-07-017 (Docket No. UE-051106, General Order No. R-528), § 480-108-010, filed 3/6/06, effective 4/6/06.]


PDF480-108-015

Scope of Part 1.

(1) The provisions in Part 1 of this chapter apply to interconnections, and to applications to interconnect, generating facilities with a nameplate capacity of 20 MW or less to an electric system under this chapter. Interconnections fall within three categories - Tier 1, 2, and 3, which differ by capacity and complexity. This section defines the applicability and technical standards for these interconnection categories.
(2) This chapter facilitates the interconnection process for both the interconnection customer and the electrical company by classifying interconnections based on shared characteristics. As smaller facilities with appropriate interconnection technologies are expected to have a much lower impact on the electric system, expedited processes and standardized interconnection requirements are allowed for these interconnections. Larger generating facilities using different generating and interconnection technologies can have significant impacts on the electric system, such that more in-depth review is required and additional technical requirements may apply.
(3) Tiers 1, 2, and 3 listed below contain initial applicability tests that determine which tier process an interconnection customer and electrical company will use, along with process descriptions, technical requirements and completion criteria for each tier. Tier 3 facilities include a set of alternative service tariffs and other requirements. Additionally, all facilities must meet the appropriate requirements of this chapter, and the rules and standards adopted by reference in WAC 480-108-999.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-015, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-015, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.]


PDF480-108-020

Eligibility and technical requirements for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 interconnection.

(1) Applicability.
(a) Tier 1. Interconnection of a generating facility will use Tier 1 processes and technical requirements if the proposed generating facility meets all of the following criteria:
(i) Uses inverter-based interconnection equipment;
(ii) Is single phase;
(iii) Has a nameplate capacity of 25 kW or less;
(iv) Is proposed for interconnection at secondary voltages (600 V class);
(v) Requires no construction or upgrades to electrical company facilities, other than meter changes;
(vi) The aggregated generating capacity on the service wire does not exceed the service wire capability;
(vii) The aggregated generating capacity on the transformer secondary does not exceed the nameplate of the transformer;
(viii) If proposed to be interconnected on a center tap neutral of a 240 volt service, its addition shall not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240 volt service of more than 5 kVA; and
(ix) The aggregated nameplate capacity of all generating facilities on any line section does not exceed fifteen percent of the line section annual peak load as most recently measured or calculated for that line section, or fifteen percent of the circuit annual peak load as most recently measured or calculated for the circuit. For the purposes of this subsection:
(A) "All generating facilities" means all interconnected generating facilities, the proposed generating facility, and all other proposed generating facilities already in the queue defined in WAC 480-108-030(7); and
(B) "Line section" means that portion of an electric system connected to the generating facility and bounded by sectionalizing devices or the end of the distribution line.
(b) Tier 2. Interconnection of a generating facility will use Tier 2 processes and technical requirements if the proposed generating facility meets all of the following criteria:
(i) It does not qualify for Tier 1 interconnection applicability requirements;
(ii) Has a nameplate capacity of 500 kW or less;
(iii) Is proposed for interconnection to an electric system distribution facility operated at or below 38 kV class;
(iv) Is not a synchronous generator;
(v) If it is proposed to be interconnected on a shared secondary, the aggregate generating capacity on the shared secondary, including the proposed generating facility, must not exceed the lesser of the service wire capability or the nameplate of the transformer;
(vi) The aggregated nameplate capacity of all generating facilities on any line section does not exceed fifteen percent of the line section annual peak load as most recently measured or calculated for that line section, or fifteen percent of the circuit annual peak load as most recently measured or calculated for the circuit. For the purposes of this subsection:
(A) "All generating facilities" means all interconnected generating facilities, the proposed generating facility, and other proposed generating facilities already in the queue defined in WAC 480-108-030(7); and
(B) "Line section" means that portion of an electric system connected to the generating facility and bounded by sectionalizing devices or the end of the distribution line;
(vii) Any upgrades required to the electric system must fall within the requirements in subsection (2)(b)(ii) of this section;
(viii) For interconnection of a proposed generating facility to the load side of spot network protectors, the proposed generating facility must utilize an inverter. The aggregate nameplate capacity of all inverter-based systems must not exceed the smaller of five percent of a spot network's maximum load or 50 kW;
(ix) The aggregated nameplate capacity of existing and proposed generating facilities must not contribute more than ten percent to the distribution circuit's maximum fault current at the point on the primary voltage distribution line nearest the point of interconnection; and
(x) The generating facility's point of interconnection must not be on a circuit where the available short circuit current, with or without the proposed generating facility, exceeds 87.5 percent of the interrupting capability of the electrical company's protective devices and equipment (including substation breakers, fuse cutouts, and line reclosers).
(c) Tier 3. Interconnection of a generating facility will use Tier 3 processes and technical requirements if the proposed generating facility does not qualify for Tier 1 or Tier 2.
(2) Technical requirements.
(a) Tier 1.
(i) The purpose of the protection required for Tier 1 generating facilities is to prevent islanding and to ensure that inverter output is disconnected when the electric system is deenergized.
(ii) An interrupting device must be provided which is capable of safely interrupting the maximum available fault current (typically the maximum fault current is that supplied by the electrical company).
(iii) The generating facility must operate within the voltage and power factor ranges specified by the electrical company and as allowed by Underwriters Laboratories standard (UL) 1741.
(iv) Disconnect switch. Unless the Washington state department of labor and industries requires a visible, lockable AC disconnect switch, an electrical company shall not require a visible, lockable AC disconnect switch for interconnection customers installing and operating an inverter-based UL 1741 certified system interconnected through a self-contained socket-based meter of 320 amps or less.
(b) Tier 2.
(i) In all cases, the interconnection facilities must isolate the generating facility from the electric system as specified by IEEE 1547, and the interconnection agreement. The interconnection customer shall prevent its generating facility equipment from automatically reenergizing the electric system as specified by IEEE 1547, and the interconnection agreement. For inverter-based systems, the interconnecting facility must comply with IEEE 1547, UL 1741 and the interconnection agreement set forth by the electric utility. For noninverter based systems a separate protection package will be required to meet IEEE 1547 and the interconnection agreement set forth by the electric utility.
(ii) If the generating facility fails to meet the characteristics for Tier 2 applicability, but the electrical company determines that the generating facility could be interconnected safely if minor modifications to the transmission or distribution system were made (for example, changing meters, fuses, or relay settings), then the electrical company may offer the interconnection customer a good-faith, nonbinding estimate of the costs of such proposed minor modifications. If the interconnection customer authorizes the electrical company to proceed with the minor modifications and agrees to pay the entire cost of the modifications, then the electrical company may approve the application using Tier 2 processes and technical requirements.
(iii) For proposed generating facilities 50 kW and greater, three-phase connection may be required by the electric company.
(iv) For three-phase induction generator interconnections, the electrical company may, in its sole discretion, specify that ground fault protection must be provided. Use of ground overvoltage or ground overcurrent elements may be specified, depending on whether the electrical company uses three-wire or effectively grounded four-wire systems.
(v) If the generating facility is single-phase and interconnected on a center tap neutral of a 240 volt service, it must not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240 volt service of more than 5 kW.
(vi) If the generating facility is proposed for interconnection at primary (greater than 600 V class) distribution voltages, the connection of the transformer(s) used to connect the generating facility to the electric system must be the electrical company's standard connection. This is intended to limit the potential for creating overvoltages on the electric system for a loss of ground during the operating time of functions designed to prevent islanding.
(vii) For primary-voltage connections to three-phase, three-wire systems, the transformer primary windings must be connected phase to phase.
(viii) For primary-voltage connections to three-phase, four-wire systems, the transformer primary windings may be connected phase to neutral.
(ix) Disconnect switch.
(A) Except as provided in (b)(i)(B), (C), and (D) of this subsection, the generating facility must include a visible, lockable AC disconnect switch. The electrical company shall have the right to disconnect the generating facility at a UL listed disconnect switch to meet electrical company operating safety requirements.
(B) An electrical company may waive the visible, lockable disconnect switch requirement for an inverter-based system.
(C) To maintain electrical company operating and personnel safety in the absence of an external disconnect switch, the interconnection customer shall agree that the electrical company has the right to disconnect electric service through other means if the generating facility must be physically disconnected for any reason, without liability to the electrical company. These actions to disconnect the generating facility (due to an emergency or maintenance or other condition on the electric system) will result in loss of electrical service to the customer's facility or residence for the duration of time that work is actively in progress. The duration of outage may be longer than it would otherwise have been with an AC disconnect switch.
(D) In the absence of an external disconnect switch, the interconnection customer is required to operate and maintain the inverter in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines, and retain documentation of commissioning. In the absence of such documentation the electric company may, with five days' notice and at the interconnection customer's expense, test or cause to be tested the inverter to ensure its continued operation and protection capability. The person that tests the inverter shall provide documentation of the results to both the electrical company and the interconnection customer. Should the inverter fail the test, the electric company may disconnect the generating facility, and require the interconnection customer to repair or replace the inverter. The cost of any such repair or replacement required by the electric company shall be the sole responsibility of the interconnection customer.
(c) Tier 3.
(i) In all cases, the interconnection facilities must isolate the generating facility from the electric system as specified by IEEE 1547, and the interconnection agreement. The interconnection customer shall prevent its generating facility equipment from automatically reenergizing the electric system as specified by IEEE 1547, and the interconnection agreement. For inverter-based systems, the interconnecting facility must comply with IEEE 1547, UL 1741 and the interconnection agreement set forth by the electric utility. For noninverter based systems a separate protection package will be required to meet IEEE 1547 and the interconnection agreement set forth by the electric utility.
(ii) The system must be designed to prevent a single point of failure from causing a loss of protective functions. This can be achieved by installing multiple discrete-function relays providing the required functions as a set, or by installing redundant multifunction devices, each of which provides all of the required functions.
(iii) Ground fault protection must be provided, unless waived by the utility in writing. Use of ground overvoltage or ground overcurrent elements may be specified, depending on whether the utility uses three-wire or effectively grounded four-wire systems.
(iv) Breaker failure detection must be provided, and secondary action initiated in the event that the interconnection breaker fails to clear for the trip condition, consistent with utility practice. This may require installation of dual generator breakers tripped by similar interconnection relays, or a main and backup relay with the same functions and zones of protection, one of which trips the generator breaker and one which trips the main incoming breaker.
(v) System impact studies. The electrical company may require a feasibility, system impact, facilities, or other study as described in WAC 480-108-030 (10)(c). These studies are intended to quantify the impacts of the generating facility on the electric system, and may include an analysis of power flow, stability, metering, relay/protection, and communications/telemetry. Acceptance of the results of these studies by the interconnection customer is a condition of approval of the application because the studies provide the basis for the detailed technical requirements for interconnection.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-020, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-020, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07; WSR 06-07-017 (Docket No. UE-051106, General Order No. R-528), § 480-108-020, filed 3/6/06, effective 4/6/06.]


PDF480-108-030

Application for interconnection.

(1) Standard application.
(a) The electrical company must file a standard application form with the commission that potential interconnection customers must use to request interconnection under this chapter. The interconnection customer's request must include the application fee established in subsection (5) of this section.
The electrical company must make the standard application form available on its website and, unless unreasonably burdensome, allow for submission via the internet.
(b) Notification of potential voltage irregularities. Application materials shall include a notice explaining that voltage may be routinely at the upper limits of the range described in WAC 480-100-373, and this may limit the ability of a generating facility to export power to the electric system.
(2) Point of contact and information disclosure. The electrical company must designate a point of contact and publish a telephone number and website address for the purpose of assisting potential interconnection customers. The electrical company must comply with reasonable requests for information including relevant system studies, interconnection studies, and other materials useful for a potential interconnection customer to understand the circumstances of an interconnection at a particular point on the electric system, to the extent provision of such information does not violate confidentiality provisions of prior electrical company agreements.
(3) When a potential interconnection customer requests interconnection from the electrical company, the potential interconnection customer must conform to the rules and regulations in effect and on file with the electrical company. The potential interconnection customer seeking to interconnect a generating facility under this chapter must fill out and submit, electronically or otherwise, a signed application form to the electrical company. Information on the form must be accurate and complete.
(4) Phased installation. When a project is designed for phased installation, the potential interconnection customer may choose to submit an application for approval of the final project size, or may choose to submit applications at each phase of the project. Each application will be evaluated based on the nameplate capacity stated on the application. If separate applications are submitted for each phase of a project, a separate application fee is required for each phase of the project.
(a) If the potential interconnection customer applies with a final phased in project size and the electrical company approves the application, then the potential interconnection customer must notify the electrical company as additional units are added.
(b) If a potential interconnection customer submits an application for an individual phase of a project, the potential interconnection customer may not develop the project beyond the size approved.
(5) Application fees. The electrical company must establish a nonrefundable interconnection application fee set according to facility size to be paid by the interconnection customer to the electrical company when the interconnection customer submits its application. If an application is withdrawn, the application fee shall be applied to a request for reapplication submitted within thirty business days of the withdrawal. The fee, intended to cover the costs of processing the application, will be no greater than:
(a) One hundred dollars for facilities 0 to 25 kilowatts (kW);
(b) Five hundred dollars for facilities 26 to 500 kW; and
(c) One thousand dollars for facilities 500 kW to 20 MW.
(6) Nondiscriminatory processing and evaluation. All generating facility interconnection applications will be processed and evaluated by the electrical company in a nondiscriminatory manner, consistent with other service requests and in a manner that does not delay other service requests. The electrical company must document the date and time that all interconnection applications are received.
(7) Timelines. The timeline for the application review process begins when the interconnection application and application fee are received. A project enters the queue on the date that the electrical company sends a notice of complete application to the interconnection customer, as described in this section. An electrical company may send any notice described in this section by electronic mail.
(8) Tier 1 applications.
(a) Tier 1 standard application. Deviations from standard business practices described in this subsection are not violations of this rule. The electrical company's standard business practice for Tier 1 interconnection applications, shall:
(i) Offer a single application for interconnection, net metering and production metering; and
(ii) Include, in the same package as the notice of approval, an executable interconnection agreement and if applicable:
(A) The dollar amount due to complete the interconnection including the cost of the production meter;
(B) An executable net metering agreement;
(C) Notice of the steps the interconnection customer must take to receive any renewable energy production incentive payments administered by the electrical company;
(D) Any other information likely to expedite the remainder of the interconnection process.
(b) Tier 1 application timeline.
(i) Notice of receipt. Notice of receipt of an application and application fee shall be sent by the electrical company to the interconnection customer within five business days.
(ii) Notice of complete application.
(A) The electrical company shall notify the interconnection customer if the application is complete or incomplete, and if incomplete specifying any deficiencies, within ten business days after the notice of receipt of application.
(B) When an electrical company sends a notice of an incomplete application to an interconnection customer, the interconnection customer shall provide a complete application to the electrical company within fifteen business days of the notice. The electrical company may, but is not required to, grant an extension in writing. If the interconnection customer fails to complete the application, the application expires at the end of the incomplete application period.
(iii) Approval or denial. Within twenty business days after a complete application notice is sent to an interconnection customer, the electrical company shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application with written justification. The electrical company shall include, in the same package as the notice of approval, an executable interconnection agreement and any other information likely to expedite the remainder of the interconnection process. If delays result from unforeseen circumstances, customer variance requests, or other incentive program approval requirements, the customer shall be promptly notified.
(iv) Initial operation. An interconnection customer must interconnect and operate the generating facility within one year from the date of approval of the application, or the application expires, unless the electrical company, in its sole discretion, grants an extension in writing.
(9) Tier 2 application timeline.
(a) Notice of receipt. Notice of receipt of an application and application fee shall be sent by the electrical company to the interconnection customer within five business days.
(b) Notice of complete application.
(i) The electrical company shall notify the interconnection customer if the application is complete or incomplete, and if incomplete specifying any deficiencies, within ten business days after notice of receipt of application.
(ii) When an electrical company sends a notice of an incomplete application to an interconnection customer, the interconnection customer shall provide a complete application to the electrical company within fifteen business days of the notice. The electrical company may, but is not required to, grant an extension in writing. If the interconnection customer fails to complete the application, the application expires at the end of the incomplete application period.
(c) Approval or denial. Within thirty business days after a complete application notice is sent to an interconnection customer, the electrical company shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application with written justification. If delays result due to unforeseen circumstances, customer variance requests, or incentive program approval requirements, the interconnection customer shall be promptly notified.
(d) Offer of agreement. The electrical company must offer the interconnection customer an executable interconnection agreement within five business days of the notification of approval described in (c) of this subsection.
(e) Initial operation. An interconnection customer must interconnect and operate the generating facility within one year from the date of approval of the application, or the application expires, unless the electrical company, in its sole discretion, grants an extension in writing.
(10) Tier 3 application timeline.
(a) Notice of receipt. Notice of receipt of an application and application fee shall be sent by the electrical company to the interconnection customer within five business days.
(b) Notice of complete application.
(i) The electrical company shall notify the interconnection customer if the application is complete or incomplete, and if incomplete specifying any deficiencies, within ten business days after notice of receipt of application.
(ii) When an electrical company sends a notice of an incomplete application to an interconnection customer, the interconnection customer shall provide a complete application to the electrical company within thirty business days of the notice. The electrical company may, but is not required to, grant an extension in writing. If the interconnection customer fails to complete the application, the application expires at the end of the incomplete application period.
(c) Technical review and additional studies.
(i) Technical review. Once an application is accepted by the electrical company as complete, the electrical company will review the application to determine if the interconnection request complies with the technical standards established in WAC 480-108-020 and to determine whether any additional engineering, safety, reliability or other studies are required. If the electrical company determines that additional studies are required, the electrical company must provide the interconnection customer a form of agreement that includes a description of what studies are required and a good faith estimate of the cost and time necessary to perform the studies. The electrical company must notify the interconnection customer of the result of these determinations within thirty business days of when the application is deemed complete, as described in subsection (b) of this section. The interconnection customer may request that studies be combined.
(ii) Approval with no additional studies. If the electrical company notifies the interconnection customer that the request complies with the technical requirements established in WAC 480-108-020 and no additional studies are required to determine the feasibility of the interconnection, the electrical company must offer the interconnection customer an executable interconnection agreement within five business days of such notification. The electrical company also will provide any additional interim agreements, such as construction agreements, that may be necessary and a good faith estimate of the cost and time necessary to complete the interconnection.
(iii) Cost of additional studies and upgrades.
(A) Cost allocation. The interconnection customer is responsible for all reasonable costs incurred by the electrical company to study the proposed interconnection and to design and construct any required interconnection facilities or system upgrades. The interconnection customer is responsible for reasonable ongoing operation and maintenance costs for facilities added to the electric system that are dedicated to that interconnection customer's use.
(B) Cost disputes. Within thirty business days after receiving a notice that additional studies are required, as described in (c)(i) of this subsection, the interconnection customer may supply an alternative cost estimate from a third-party qualified to perform the studies required by the electrical company.
(C) Study agreement and deposit. After the electrical company and the interconnection customer agree on the estimated cost of the required studies and the identity of parties to perform the required studies, the interconnection customer and electrical company must execute an agreement describing these studies and any deposit to be paid to the electrical company. The deposit is not to exceed the lower of one thousand dollars, or fifty percent of the estimated study cost. After a study agreement is executed, the electrical company shall make its best effort to complete the required studies, consistent with time requirements for the studies and other service requests of a similar magnitude.
(iv) Denial after additional studies. The electrical company will provide the interconnection customer with the results of the studies conducted under this subsection. If the studies determine that the interconnection is not feasible, the electrical company will provide notice of denial to the interconnection customer and the reasons for the denial.
(v) Modification after additional studies. Based on the results of the studies, the electrical company and interconnection customer may agree to modify the previously complete application without penalty to the interconnection customer. A modified application shall be considered an approved final application.
(vi) Approval after additional studies. If the studies determine that the interconnection is feasible, the electrical company will notify the interconnection customer and provide an executable interconnection agreement to the interconnection customer within five business days of such notification if no system upgrades are required, or fifteen business days if system upgrades are required. The electrical company also will provide any additional interim agreements, such as construction agreements, that may be necessary and a good faith estimate of the cost and time necessary to complete the interconnection.
(vii) An interconnection customer's failure to execute and return completed agreements and required deposits within the time frames specified in this section or by the electrical company may result in termination of the application process by the electrical company under terms and conditions stated in such agreements.
(d) Other than modifications to the complete application described in (c)(v) of this subsection, changes by the interconnection customer to a previously approved completed application will be considered a new application and shall be accompanied by a new application fee. Denied applications expire on the date of denial.
(e) An interconnection customer must execute an interconnection agreement, and simultaneously pay any deposit required by the electrical company not to exceed fifty percent of the estimated costs to complete the interconnection, within thirty business days from the date of approval of the final application. At the electrical company's discretion, an extension may be granted in writing. If the electrical company must upgrade or construct new electric system facilities, the interconnection customer must meet the credit requirements of the electric company prior to the start of construction.
(f) Initial operation. An interconnection customer must begin operation of the generating facility within two years of the effective date of the interconnection agreement, or both the application and subsequent interconnection agreement expire. At the electrical company's discretion, an extension may be granted in writing.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-030, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-030, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07; WSR 06-07-017 (Docket No. UE-051106, General Order No. R-528), § 480-108-030, filed 3/6/06, effective 4/6/06.]


PDF480-108-040

General terms and conditions of interconnection.

(1) The terms, conditions, and technical requirements in this section apply to the interconnection customer and generating facility throughout the generating facility's installation, testing, commissioning, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and removal. The electrical company may verify compliance at any time, with reasonable notice.
(2) Any generating facility proposing to be interconnected with the electric system or any proposed change to a generating facility that requires modification of an existing interconnection agreement must meet all applicable terms, conditions, and technical requirements set forth in this chapter, including the regulations and standards adopted by reference in WAC 480-108-999.
(3) The terms, conditions and technical requirements in this section are intended to mitigate possible adverse impacts caused by the generating facility on electrical company equipment and personnel and on other customers of the electrical company. They are not intended to address protection of the generating facility itself, generating facility personnel, or its internal load. It is the responsibility of the generating facility to comply with the requirements of all appropriate standards, codes, statutes and authorities to protect its own facilities, personnel, and loads.
(4) The interconnection customer shall comply with and must ensure its generating facility meets the requirements in (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection. However, at its sole discretion, the electrical company may approve, in writing, alternatives that satisfy the intent of, or waive compliance with, any specific elements of these requirements except local, state and federal building codes.
(a) Codes and standards. These include the National Electric Code (NEC), National Electric Safety Code (NESC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards, and local, state and federal building codes. The interconnection customer shall be responsible for obtaining all applicable permit(s) for the equipment installations on its property.
(b) Safety. All safety and operating procedures for joint use equipment shall be in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard at 29 C.F.R. 1910.269, the NEC, Washington Administrative Code (WAC) rules, the Washington division of occupational safety and health (DOSH) standard, and equipment manufacturer's safety and operating manuals.
(c) Power quality. Installations will be in compliance with all applicable standards including IEEE standard 519 Harmonic Limits, or more stringent harmonic requirements of the electrical company that have been approved by the commission.
(5) Any electrical generating facility must comply with this chapter to be eligible to interconnect and operate in parallel with the electric system. These specifications and standards shall apply to all interconnecting generating facilities that are intended to operate in parallel with the electric system regardless of whether the interconnection customer intends to generate energy to serve all or a part of the interconnection customer's load; or to sell the output to the electrical company or any third party purchaser.
(6) In order to ensure system safety and reliability of interconnected operations, all interconnected generating facilities shall be constructed, operated and maintained by the interconnection customer in accordance with these rules, with the interconnection agreement, with the applicable manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule and operating requirements, good electric company practice, and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
(7) This section does not govern the settlement, purchase, sale, transmission or delivery of any power generated by interconnection customer's generating facility. The purchase, sale or delivery of power, including net metered electricity pursuant to chapter 80.60 RCW, and other services that the interconnection customer may require will be covered by separate agreement or pursuant to the terms, conditions and rates as may be from time to time approved by the commission. Separate agreements may be required with the electrical company, the balancing area authority or transmission provider, or other party but not necessarily with the electrical company. Any such agreement shall be complete prior to initial operation.
(8) An interconnection customer shall promptly furnish the electrical company with copies of such plans, specifications, records, and other information relating to the generating facility or the ownership, operation, use, or maintenance of the generating facility, as may be reasonably requested by the electrical company from time to time.
(9) Disconnection.
(a) Electrical company's right to disconnect.
(i) An electrical company may disconnect a generating facility as described in this subsection. The electrical company shall provide reasonable advance notice to an interconnection customer before any scheduled disconnection, or reasonable notice after an unscheduled disconnection.
(ii) Unapproved interconnection. For the purposes of public and working personnel safety, any unapproved generating facility will be immediately disconnected from the electric system. Such disconnection of unapproved interconnections may result in disconnection of electric service to customers of the electrical company other than the owner of the generating facility.
(iii) Unapproved operation. If a generating facility does not operate in a manner consistent with this chapter or an approved tariff, the electrical company may disconnect the generating facility.
(iv) Temporary disconnection. To maintain electrical company operating and personnel safety the electrical company has the right to temporarily disconnect electric service to the interconnection customer if the generating facility must be physically disconnected for any reason. The disconnection of the generating facility (due to an emergency or maintenance or other condition on the electric system) will result in loss of electrical service to the customer's facility or residence for the duration of time that work is actively in progress. If no disconnect switch is present, the duration of such an outage may be longer than it would be with the switch.
(b) Interconnection customer's right to disconnect. The interconnection customer may disconnect the generating facility at any time, provided that the interconnection customer provides reasonable advance notice to the electrical company.
(10) To ensure reliable service to all electrical company customers and to minimize possible problems for other customers, the electrical company may review the need for upgrades to its system, including a dedicated transformer. If the electrical company notifies the interconnection customer that upgrades are required before or at the time of application approval, the interconnection customer shall pay for all costs of those upgrades, except where inconsistent with these rules.
(11) The electrical company may require, and if it so requires will provide its reasoning in writing, a transfer trip system or an equivalent protective function for a generating facility, that cannot: Detect distribution system faults (both line-to-line and line-to-ground) and clear such faults within time and operating parameters found in IEEE 1547 Tables 1 and 2; or detect the formation of an unintended island and cease to energize the electric system within two seconds.
(12) Metering.
(a) Net metering. The electrical company shall install, own, and maintain a kilowatt-hour meter or meters capable of registering the bi-directional flow of electricity at the point of common coupling. The meters shall meet or exceed all applicable accuracy standards. The meter may measure parameters including the time of delivery, power factor, and voltage. The interconnection customer shall provide space for metering equipment. The interconnection customer must provide the current transformer enclosure (if required), meter socket(s) and junction box after the electrical company approves the interconnection customer's drawings and equipment specifications.
(b) Production metering. The electrical company may require separate metering for production. This meter will record all generation produced and may be billed separately from any net metering or customer usage metering. All costs associated with the installation of production metering will be paid by the interconnection customer.
(13) Labeling. The interconnection customer must post common labeling, furnished or approved by the electrical company and in accordance with NEC requirements, on the meter base, disconnects, and transformers informing working personnel that a generating facility is operating at or is located on the premises.
(14) Insurance. No additional insurance is necessary for a generating facility with a nameplate capacity under 100 kW.
(15) Future modification. An interconnection customer must obtain electrical company approval before any future modification or expansion of a generating facility. The electrical company may require the interconnection customer, at the interconnection customer's expense, to provide corrections or additions to existing electrical devices in the event of modification of government or industry regulations and standards, or major changes in the electric system which impacts the interconnection.
(16) Chapter 80.60 RCW limits the total capacity of generation for net metering. However, the electrical company may restrict or prohibit new or expanded net metered systems on any feeder, circuit or network if engineering, safety, or reliability studies establish the need for a restriction or prohibition.
(17) Cost allocation. Charges by the electrical company to the interconnection customer in addition to the application fee, if any, will be compensatory and applied as appropriate. Such costs may include, but are not limited to, transformers, production meters, and electrical company testing, qualification, studies and approval of non-UL 1741 listed equipment. The interconnection customer shall be responsible for any costs associated with any future upgrade or modification to its interconnected system required by modifications in the electric system.
(18) Sale and assignment. The interconnection customer shall notify the electrical company prior to the sale or transfer of the generating facility, the interconnection facilities or the premises upon which the facilities are located. The interconnection customer shall not assign its rights or obligations under any agreement entered into pursuant to these rules without the prior written consent of electrical company; such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(19) If the interconnection customer is a different entity than the owner of the real property on which the generating facility is located, the interconnection customer shall indemnify the electrical company for all risks to the owner of the real property, including disconnection of service. In addition, the interconnection customer shall obtain all legal rights and easements requested by the electrical company for the electrical company to access, install, own, maintain, operate or remove its equipment and the disconnect switch, if installed, on the real property where the generating facility is located, at no cost to the electrical company.
(20) Inverters. If an inverter is utilized, the inverter must be certified by an independent, nationally recognized testing laboratory to meet the requirements of UL 1741. Inverters certified to meet the requirements of UL 1741 must use undervoltage, overvoltage, and over/under frequency elements to detect loss of electrical company power and initiate shutdown.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-040, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-040, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07; WSR 06-07-017 (Docket No. UE-051106, General Order No. R-528), § 480-108-040, filed 3/6/06, effective 4/6/06.]


PDF480-108-050

Completion of interconnection process.

The interconnection process is complete and the generating facility can begin operation when:
(1) The interconnection customer and the electric company execute an interconnection agreement;
(2) The interconnection customer provides, and the electrical company issues written approval for, a certificate of completion demonstrating:
(a) The receipt of any required electrical and building permits, and installation in compliance with electrical and local building codes;
(b) Installation in compliance with the technical requirements for interconnection in this chapter;
(c) Inspection and approval of the system by the electrical inspector having jurisdiction over the installation.
(3) All required agreements with the balancing area authority having jurisdiction, and all agreements covering the purchase, sale or transport of electricity and provision of any ancillary services have been completed and signed by all parties;
(4) Witness test. If required by the electrical company, a representative of the electrical company witnesses and approves the operation of the generating facility in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; and
(5) All requirements and conditions of the interconnection agreement have been satisfied and permission granted by the electrical company to proceed with commercial operation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-050, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-050, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07; WSR 06-07-017 (Docket No. UE-051106, General Order No. R-528), § 480-108-050, filed 3/6/06, effective 4/6/06.]


PDF480-108-080

Interconnection service tariffs.

(1) Within sixty business days of the effective date of this rule, each electrical company over which the commission has jurisdiction must file an interconnection service tariff for interconnections consistent with this chapter.
(2) Interconnection service includes only the terms and conditions that govern physical interconnection to the electrical company's delivery system and does not include sale or transmission of power by the interconnecting customer or retail service to the interconnecting customer.
(3) Tier 3 tariff requirements. Tariffs that govern the interconnection of Tier 3 generating facilities under this chapter must either:
(a) Offer service equivalent in all procedural and technical respects to the interconnection service the electrical company offers under the small generator interconnection provisions of its open access transmission tariff as approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); or
(b) Comply with the terms of an "alternative interconnection service tariff" described in subsection (5) of this section.
(4) FERC Small Generator Interconnection Agreements. For purposes of this section, "small generator interconnection provisions" means the procedural and technical requirements established by the FERC in Standardization of Small Generator Interconnection Agreements and Procedures, Order No. 2006, 70 FR 34190 (June 13, 2005), FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,180 (2005) (Order No. 2006), order on reh'g, Order No. 2006-A, 70 FR 71760 (Nov. 30, 2005), FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,196 (2005), order on clarif'n, Order No. 2006-B, 71 FR 42587 (July 27, 2006), FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 61,046 (2006). "Small generator interconnection provisions" does not include the 10 kW inverter process required under the above-listed FERC regulations.
(5) Tier 3 alternative interconnection service tariff. If an electrical company demonstrates that the small generator interconnection provisions will impair service adequacy, reliability or safety or will otherwise be incompatible with its electric system, the electrical company may file a Tier 3 alternative interconnection service tariff. An alternative interconnection service tariff must meet the following requirements and be consistent with all provisions of this chapter:
(a) All interconnection customers must be treated equally without undue discrimination or preference.
(b) Electric companies must ensure that interconnection service will not impair safe, adequate and reliable electric service to its retail electric customers.
(c) Technical requirements for all interconnections must comply with IEEE, NESC, NEC, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, Western Electricity Coordinating Council and other applicable safety and reliability standards.
(d) Charges by the electrical company to the interconnection customer in addition to the application fee, if any, must be cost-based and consistent with generally accepted engineering practices. Unless an electrical company demonstrates by reference to its integrated resource plan prepared pursuant to WAC 480-100-238, its conservation targets pursuant to RCW 19.285.040, the studies it performs under WAC 480-108-120, or other evidence that an interconnection will provide quantifiable benefits to the electrical company's other customers, an interconnecting customer must pay all costs made necessary by the requested interconnection service. Such costs include, but are not limited to, the cost of engineering studies, upgrades to the electric system made necessary by the interconnection, metering and insurance. If an electrical company demonstrates that an interconnection will produce quantifiable benefits for the electrical company's other customers, it may incur a portion of these costs for commission consideration for recovery in its general rates commensurate with such benefits. If after consideration of any costs approved by the commission for recovery in general rates the remaining costs are less than any amounts paid by the interconnection customer, the electrical company must refund the excess to the interconnection customer.
(e) Interconnection customers must be responsible for all operation, maintenance and code compliance for facilities and equipment on the customer's side of the point of common coupling.
(f) Interconnection service tariffs must describe:
(i) The process, timelines and cost of feasibility and facility impact studies the electrical company may require before allowing interconnection.
(ii) The prioritization or other processes by which the electrical company will manage multiple requests for interconnection service.
(g) Interconnection service tariffs must state:
(i) Specific time frames for electrical companies to respond to interconnection applications.
(ii) Specific time frames for interconnection customers to respond to study and interconnection agreements offered by the electrical company. Time frames must be adequate for the electrical company and the interconnection customer to have adequate opportunity to examine engineering studies and project design options.
(h) The electrical company must make knowledgeable personnel available to answer questions regarding applicability of the interconnection service tariff and otherwise provide assistance to a customer seeking interconnection service. The electrical company must comply with reasonable requests for information including relevant system studies, interconnection studies, and other materials useful for an interconnection customer to understand the circumstances of an interconnection at a particular point on the electric system, to the extent provision of such information does not violate confidentiality provisions of prior electrical company agreements.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-080, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-080, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.]


PDF480-108-100

Dispute resolution.

An interconnection customer may ask the commission to review an electrical company's study costs, interconnection facility costs, system upgrade costs, deposit requirements, assignment of costs to the interconnection customer or an electrical company's processing, termination, denial or rejection of an interconnection application by making an informal complaint under WAC 480-07-910, or by filing a formal complaint under WAC 480-07-370.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-100, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.]


PDF480-108-110

Required filings—Exceptions.

(1) The electrical company must file for commission approval, as part of its tariff, and maintain on file for inspection at its place of business, the charges, terms and conditions for interconnections pursuant to this chapter. Such filing must include model forms of the following documents and contracts:
(a) Application;
(b) Feasibility Study Agreement;
(c) System Impact Study Agreement;
(d) Facilities Study Agreement;
(e) Construction Agreement;
(f) Interconnection Agreement; and
(g) Certificate of Completion.
(2) The commission may grant such exceptions to these rules as may be appropriate in individual cases.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-110, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-110, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.]


PDF480-108-120

Cumulative effects of interconnections.

Electrical companies will evaluate on an ongoing basis, but not less than once every five years, the cumulative effect, including benefits to its other customers, of interconnections made under this chapter on its electric system and will retain appropriate records of its evaluations.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-120, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13; WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-120, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07.]


PDF480-108-999

Adoption by reference.

In this chapter, the commission adopts by reference all or portions of regulations and standards identified below. The publications, effective date, references within this chapter, and availability of the resources are as follows:
(1) The National Electrical Code is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
(a) The commission adopts the edition effective 2023, including errata 70-23-1 published September 1, 2022, and errata 70-23-2 published September 15, 2022.
(b) This publication is referenced in WAC 480-108-040 (General terms and conditions of interconnection).
(c) The National Electrical Code is a copyrighted document. Copies are available from the NFPA at 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169 or at internet address https://www.nfpa.org/.
(2) National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
(a) The commission adopts the 2023 edition.
(b) This publication is referenced in WAC 480-108-040 (General terms and conditions of interconnection).
(c) Copies of the National Electrical Safety Code are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at https://standards.ieee.org/nesc.
(3) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 1547-2018, Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces.
(a) The commission adopts the version published April 6, 2018.
(b) This publication is referenced in WAC 480-108-040 (General terms and conditions of interconnection).
(c) Copies of IEEE Standard 1547 are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at https://www.ieee.org.
(4) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard C37.90, IEEE Standard for Relays and Relay Systems Associated with Electric Power Apparatus.
(a) The commission adopts the version published January 31, 2006, and reaffirmed in 2011.
(b) This publication is referenced in WAC 480-108-040 (General terms and conditions of interconnection).
(c) Copies of IEEE Standard C37.90 are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at https://www.ieee.org.
(5) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 519, Standard for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems.
(a) The commission adopts the version published May 8, 2022.
(b) This publication is referenced in WAC 480-108-040 (General terms and conditions of interconnection).
(c) Copies of IEEE Standard 519 are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at https://www.ieee.org.
(6) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 141, Recommended Practice for Electric Power Distribution for Industrial Plants.
(a) The commission adopts the version published April 29, 1994, and reaffirmed in 1999.
(b) This publication is referenced in WAC 480-108-040 (General terms and conditions of interconnection).
(c) Copies of IEEE Standard 141 are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at https://www.ieee.org.
(7) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 142, Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems.
(a) The commission adopts the version published in 2007.
(b) This publication is referenced in WAC 480-108-040 (General terms and conditions of interconnection).
(c) Copies of IEEE Standard 142 are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at https://www.ieee.org.
(8) Underwriters Laboratories (UL), including UL Standard 1741, Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection Systems Equipment for Use with Distributed Energy Resources.
(a) The commission adopts the version published September 28, 2021.
(b) This publication is referenced in WAC 480-108-040 (General terms and conditions of interconnection).
(c) UL Standard 1741 is available from Underwriters Laboratory at https://www.ul.com.
(9) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard at 29 C.F.R. 1910.269.
(a) The commission adopts the version published on February 18, 2020, effective February 18, 2020.
(b) This publication is referenced in WAC 480-108-040 (General terms and conditions of interconnection).
(c) Copies of Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations are available from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore, https://bookstore.gpo.gov/, and from various third-party vendors.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.10.040 [ 80.01.040], 80.04.160, 81.04.160, and 34.05.353. WSR 23-13-003, § 480-108-999, filed 6/7/23, effective 7/8/23; WSR 22-15-104, § 480-108-999, filed 7/19/22, effective 8/19/22; WSR 21-13-130, § 480-108-999, filed 6/22/21, effective 7/23/21; WSR 19-14-118, § 480-108-999, filed 7/3/19, effective 8/3/19; WSR 18-13-106, § 480-108-999, filed 6/19/18, effective 7/20/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, 81.04.160, and 34.05.353. WSR 17-15-054 (Docket A-170015, General Order R-589), § 480-108-999, filed 7/13/17, effective 8/13/17; WSR 16-05-035 (Docket A-151884, General Order R-585), § 480-108-999, filed 2/9/16, effective 3/11/16; WSR 15-06-048 (Docket A-143302, General Order R-579), § 480-108-999, filed 3/2/15, effective 4/2/15; WSR 14-05-001 (Docket A-131761, General Order R-574), § 480-108-999, filed 2/5/14, effective 3/8/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 13-15-089 (Docket UE-112133, General Order R-571), § 480-108-999, filed 7/18/13, effective 8/18/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, 81.04.160, and 34.05.353. WSR 13-05-023 (Docket A-121496, General Order R-569), § 480-108-999, filed 2/11/13, effective 3/14/13; WSR 12-05-063 (Docket A-111722, General Order R-564), § 480-108-999, filed 2/15/12, effective 3/17/12; WSR 11-04-041 (Docket A-101466, General Order R-562), § 480-108-999, filed 1/25/11, effective 2/25/11; WSR 10-03-044 (Docket A-091124, General Order R-557), § 480-108-999, filed 1/14/10, effective 2/14/10; WSR 09-01-171 (Docket A-081419, General Order R-554), § 480-108-999, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. WSR 07-20-059 (Docket UE-060649, General Order 545), § 480-108-999, filed 9/27/07, effective 10/28/07; WSR 06-07-017 (Docket No. UE-051106, General Order No. R-528), § 480-108-999, filed 3/6/06, effective 4/6/06.]
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