COMMONWEALTH  OF THE NORTHERN  MARIANA ISLANDS

 Jude U. Hofschneider Lieutenant Governor 4 SEP 2014

Honorable Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero Speaker, House of Representatives Eighteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth  Legislature

Saipan, MP 96950

Honorable Ralph DLG. Torres Senate President, The Senate Eighteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Saipan, MP 96950

Dear Mr. Speaker and Mr. President:

This is to inform you that I have signed into law House Bill No. 18-165, SDl, entitled, "To amend the standards for the renewable energy portfolio for electrical power producers and to amend 4 CMC § 8532 to authorize the installation of net energy metering for all eligible residential customer-generators; and for other purposes," which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Eighteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature.

This bill becomes Public Law No. 18-62. Copies bearing my signature are forwarded for your reference.

Sincerely,

cc: Lt. Governor; Lt. Governor's Legal Counsel; Attorney General's Office; Commonwealth Utilities Corporation; Public Auditor; Special Assistant for Administration; Special Assistant for Programs and Legislative Review

Caller  Box  10007 Saipan. MP 96950 Telephone: (670) 664-2200/2300  Facsimile: (670) 664-2211/2311

House  of esentatives

18th NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEAL TH LEGISLATURE

P.O. BOX 500586 SAIPAN, MP 96950 

July 29, 2014

The Honorable Eloy S. Inos Governor

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Capitol Hill Saipan, MP 96950

Dear Governor Inos:

I have the honor of  transmitting  herewith  for  your  action H.B. No. 18-165, SDl,  entitled: "To amend the standards for the renewable energy portfolio for electrical power producers and to amend 4 CMC § 8532 to authorize the installation of net energy metering for all eligible residential customer-generators; and for other purposes.", which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Eighteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature.

Sincerely yours,

House Clerk Attachment

Commonwealth of tlie :Nortliem ariana lsfanas

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Third Regular Session January 9, 2014

Representative Francisco S. Dela Cruz, of Saipan, Precinct 3 (for himself,) in an open and public meeting with an opportunity for the public to comment, introduced the following Bill:

The Bill was referred to the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications, which submitted Standing Committee Report 18-103; adopted February 11, 2014.

THE BILL WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON FIRST AND FINAL READING, FEBRUARY 19, 2014;

without  amendments and transmitted to the

THE SENATE.

The Bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications, which submitted Standing Committee Report 18-56; adopted on May 2, 2014.

THE BILL WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE ON FIRST AND FINAL READING, MAY 2, 2014;

with amendments in the form ofH. B. 18-165, SDl.

H. B.18-165, SDl WAS RETURNED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON MAY 7, 2014.

The House of Representatives accepted the Senate amendments and passed H.B. 18-165, SDl during its 1st Day, Fourth Special Session on July 22, 2014.

 THE BILL WAS FINALLY PASSED ON JULY 22, 2014

Linda B. Muiia, House Clerk

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FIRST DAY, FOURTH SPECIAL SESSION JULY 22, 2014

AN ACT

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Be it enacted by the Eighteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature:

Section 1. Findings.   The Legislature  finds that the Commonwealth  must find ways to conserve energy and explore alternative energy sources.   Rising world  oil prices have had a profound  effect on the Commonwealth  most  notably  with regard to public  utilities.   The

Legislature  further finds that the CNMI must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and move toward the use of renewable energy while setting realistic deadlines for meeting that goal.  To implement   these  findings,   Public   Law  15-23   was  enacted   on   August   10,  2006  and subsequently amended by Public Law 15-87.  Public Law 15-87 contains renewable portfolio standards  requiring  that  a  percentage  of  electrical   energy   be  obtained   from renewable resources.    None  of  the  standards  have  been  achieved.      The  Legislature  finds  that  the renewable  energy standards should  be reduced to 20% and the time within which to achieve the standards should be extended to 2016.

 In addition, the Legislature finds that renewable energy sources are becoming readily available and more and  more residential  customers are seeking  new options,  even if it is at their expense, to help  reduce the high costs  of utility  rates.   However,  the Legislature finds that the CUC has rejected the use of net energy metering by moratorium.   It is for this reason that  the  Legislature  agrees that in order to help  residential  customers  who are  seeking  to include  renewable  energy  systems, 4 CMC  § 8532  must  be amended  to allow all eligible residential customer-generators with net metering.

  Section 2. Amendment. 4 CMC Section 8522 is amended as follows:

 "Renewable Portfolio Standard.

 Each electric utility shall establish a renewable portfolio standard of: Twenty percent of its net electricity sales on or before December 31, 2016."

Section 3. Amendment. 4 CMC § 8532 is amended as follows:

 "(a) An eligible  customer-generator  shall  be entitled  to  receive  net  energy metering service in accordance with this article.

 (b) Notwithstanding any law, CUC regulations, or moratorium to the contrary,CUC shall authorize and implement the installation of net energy metering service for all eligible residential customer-generators."

Section  4. Severability.  If any provisions of this Act or the application  of any such provision  to any  person  or circumstance  should  be  held  invalid  by  a court of competent jurisdiction,  the  remainder  of  this  Act  or the  application  of  its provisions  to  persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby.

Section 5. Savings Clause.   This Act and any repealer contained  herein shall not be construed  as affecting any existing right acquired  under contract or acquired  under statutes repealed  or  under  any  rule,  regulation,  or  order  adopted  under the statutes.         Repealers contained in this Act shall not affect any proceeding instituted under or pursuant to prior law. The enactment of the Act shall not have the effect of terminating, or in any way modifying,  any  liability,  civil  or  criminal,  which  shall  already  be in existence  on the  date this  Act                     becomes effective. 

Section  6. Effective Date.     This  Act   shall  take  effect   upon  its  approval   by the Governor, or its becoming law without such approval.