Aldan bill seeks to suspend net energy metering
Rep. Vincent S. Aldan (Ind-Saipan) has introduced a bill that will suspend the net energy metering in the CNMI to address concerns related to grid stability and management.
According to Aldan’s House Bill 23-92, not allowing excess energy from individual solar systems to feed back into the grid could lessen potential fluctuations in electricity supply and demand.
The CNMI created a net metering program in 2014 that requires the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to offer net metering to its commercial and residential electricity customers that have renewable energy systems of up to 10 megawatts.
The lawmaker stated in his legislation that doing away with net energy metering could lead to a fairer cost allocation for maintaining the CNMI’s electrical grid.
Also, without the net energy metering, the burden of grid maintenance costs would not fall disproportionately on non-solar customers, the bill adds.
Moreover, he said, this shift could encourage investments in battery storage or other energy storage solutions, promoting greater grid independence.
Aldan said the CNMI might explore alternative approaches like community solar projects that distribute benefits and costs more equitably among participants.
He said financial considerations could also play a role, as eliminating net energy metering subsidies may alleviate some budgetary pressures.
Vincent S. Aldan
