Nevada advances bills for energy storage incentives

Nevadan legislators have passed a number of bills to incentivise energy storage in the state for approval from governor Brian Sandoval.

Earlier this week, the Assembly passed AB 145 in a 36-5 vote to embed incentives for residential energy storage in the state’s solar programme.  In addition, SB 204 was also passed, which requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to investigate a path to establish energy storage procurement targets for certain electric utilities as part of grid modernisation plans. This was also passed in a majority vote of 39-2.

“The Commission shall require the utility to include in its plan a plan for modernisation of the grid. The plan for modernisation of the grid may evaluate, without limitation, the benefits and costs of new technologies, contracts, sources of energy, distributed resources, energy storage, means for reducing emissions and any other means for enhancing the reliability and 32 security of the grid,” SB 204 reads.

The bills signal the Silver State making a concerted effort to maintain its position as a leading clean energy state. Recently lawmakers passed bills to increase the state’s RPS to 80% by 2040 and revive its beleaguered rooftop solar industry.

Sponsor of SB 2014 Kevin Atkinson said the bills will go some way towards positive job creation and supporting local consumers.

“These are things we have to continue to work on and to be open about to make progress,” Atkinson said. “There is no doubt that these types of bills bring jobs. I think everyone on this committee will agree that creating jobs for our citizens is one of Nevada's goals. But empowering our consumers is also essential. I hope we are able to work on this to give the (PUC) clear direction.”