HB0183 amends Wyoming’s net metering law for electric utilities. The bill changes the definition of a “net metering system” by reducing the maximum eligible generating capacity to 25 kilowatts, which narrows the size of customer-owned systems that can qualify under the statute. It also adds authority for aggregation of net metering systems, allowing multiple systems to be combined for purposes of the law under specified conditions.
The bill further addresses utility charges to customer-generators. It provides that an electric utility may not impose a fee or charge that would raise a customer-generator’s minimum monthly charge above the amount paid by other customers in the same rate class, while also authorizing customer-generators with specified net metering systems to charge a customer-generator fee or increase a monthly fee. The act is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB0183 would amend Wyoming Statutes Title 37, Chapter 16, governing electric utilities and net metering. Its practical effect is to tighten the statutory definition of eligible net metering systems, establish a framework for aggregating systems, and adjust how monthly fees and minimum charges may be applied to customer-generators. These changes would affect residential, agricultural, and small commercial solar or other distributed-generation customers, as well as electric utilities administering net metering programs.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received generally favorable support in the House, passing 56-4 after a unanimous committee recommendation, and it also received a unanimous recommendation from the Senate Minerals Committee. However, it ultimately failed on third reading in the Senate by a narrow 15-16 vote, indicating that while the concept had significant support, it was not consensus legislation. The voting pattern suggests the bill was viewed positively by many lawmakers but remained controversial enough to lose on the floor.
Contention
The main points of contention likely centered on how the bill would change the economics of net metering for utilities and customer-generators. Supporters may have viewed the amendments as a needed update to clarify system size limits, allow aggregation, and address fee structures more consistently. Opponents likely objected to the potential for higher charges or reduced benefits for distributed-generation customers, or to the broader policy implications for utility rate design and cost recovery. The close Senate vote suggests disagreement over balancing utility interests against customer-sited generation incentives.