WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2429

An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, providing for hosting capacity maps.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Borowski and 15 co-sponsors

HB 2429 requires utilities to publish hosting capacity maps to show how much DER capacity the grid can accommodate, improving interconnection transparency.

Referred to Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2429

Summary of HB 2429 (2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Overview

HB 2429 amends Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically within the restructuring of the electric utility industry, to provide for hosting capacity maps. The bill appears to focus on enhancing access to information about grid hosting capacity to facilitate distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar, storage, and other customer-sited technologies.

Purpose and Intent

  • Improve transparency and data availability regarding the electric grid’s hosting capacity.
  • Support informed siting and planning for DERs by utilities, developers, and customers.
  • Potentially streamline the integration of distributed resources by clarifying requirements around hosting capacity information.

Key Provisions (what the bill would do)

Note: The summary is based on the title and scope provided. Specific statutory language is not included in the prompt, so the following outlines are drawn from typical elements such a bill would include under “hosting capacity maps” in the context of electric utility restructuring.

  • Establish or require hosting capacity maps as part of the electric utility structure.
    • Hosting capacity maps indicate the maximum amount of DERs (e.g., solar, storage) that can be accommodated in a given portion of the distribution grid without significant upgrades.
  • Define the content and accessibility of hosting capacity information.
    • Public visibility of hosting capacity data, possibly with map-based interfaces.
    • Data standards, update cadence, and methodologies for calculating hosting capacity.
  • Roles and responsibilities
    • Utilities to prepare, maintain, and publish hosting capacity maps.
    • Approval or oversight mechanisms (e.g., by the Public Utility Commission or similar state agency) to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
  • Process implications for DER interconnection
    • Potential changes to interconnection study processes or timelines, leveraging hosting capacity information to inform pre-application activities or screening.
  • Transparency and consumer impact
    • Enhanced information for customers and developers to make informed siting decisions.
    • Possible consumer protections related to data sharing or interpretation of hosting capacity.

Who It Would Affect

  • Electric utilities regulated under Pennsylvania’s Public Utilities framework.
  • Developers, installers, and operators of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as rooftop solar, storage, demand response, and other grid-enabled technologies.
  • Businesses and residential customers seeking interconnection or expansion of DERs.
  • The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) or the applicable regulatory body responsible for oversight and implementation.
  • State agencies involved in energy policy and grid modernization.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • The bill would likely specify timelines for utilities to develop, review, and publish hosting capacity maps.
  • It may include milestones for updates (e.g., quarterly or annual) and formal approval processes.
  • It could establish standards or methodologies to ensure consistency across utilities and enable comparability of data.
  • Potential transitional provisions if hosting capacity maps are being rolled out in stages.

Potential Impacts and Implications

  • Pros:
    • Greater transparency helps DER developers identify feasible interconnection opportunities.
    • May accelerate DER deployment and grid modernization by reducing informational barriers.
    • Could improve interconnection efficiency and reduce project lead times.
  • Cons/Considerations:
    • Utilities may incur costs to develop and maintain hosting capacity maps.
    • Data accuracy and cybersecurity considerations for publicly accessible grid information.
    • Need for clear methodologies to avoid misinterpretation of hosting capacity results by non-experts.

Conclusion

HB 2429 aims to formalize hosting capacity mapping within Pennsylvania’s electric utility framework, promoting transparency and data-driven DER interconnection. If enacted, utilities would publish and maintain hosting capacity maps under oversight, with potential impacts on interconnection processes, project timelines, and grid modernization efforts. Read the enacted language for precise definitions, obligations, and any associated regulatory requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.