EEA Database on Distributed Generation

WHAT'S NEW:

No recent state activity has been identified.

Fuel burning equipment with a capacity of 5 MMBtu/hr or less of heat input and, which uses for fuel only gaseous fuels or distillate oils were exempt from the permitting process. However the EPA overturned this exemption since a group of these sources at a single facility could generate emissions over the major source threshold. The DC regulations do not currently contain modified exemption limits to reflect the EPA ruling. All other stationary sources must obtain a permit from the D.C. Department of Health’s Air Quality Division prior to construction, modification, or installation of a pollution control device.

MINOR SOURCE PERMITTING

Fuel sulfur limits of 1% sulfur by weight apply to all units in the District.

MAJOR NSR/PSD PERMITTING

Sulfur limits apply in DC. Fuel oil which contains more than 1% sulfur by weight is prohibited from being burned and coal with more than 1% sulfur by weight also cannot be burned in most circumstances. Emission of SO2 in excess of 0.05% by volume is also not allowed. The District provides little guidance regarding NSR/PSD requirements.

TREATMENT OF EMERGENCY ENGINES

Emergency engines are limited to 500 hrs of operation per year.

SITING REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-UTILITY GENERATORS:

Small DG units do not have to go through the siting process.

Regulated public utilities under the jurisdiction of the DC Public Service Commission must receive approval prior to the construction of an electric generating facility. Any person who plans on constructing an electric generating facility or an overhead transmission line designed to carry 69,000 volts or greater in a state adjacent to DC for which a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity is required by that state must file formal notice of construction with the Commission. An application must also be filed with the Commission for the construction of a generating facility, transmission line or substation. Application criteria can be found here. The application must contain the following information:

1. The name and primary business address of the applicant
2. The name, title, and address of the person authorized to receive information about the application
3. The location(s) where the public can inspect or obtain a copy of the application
4. A list of each DC, state, or federal government agency having the authority to approve or disapprove the construction or operation of the project and containing the following information:
- A statement indicating whether the necessary approval from each agency has been obtained, a copy of each approval or disapproval must be attached;
- A statement indicating the circumstances under which any necessary approval has been obtained; and
- A statement indicating whether any waiver or variance has been requested, with a copy of each approval or disapproval attached.
5. A description of the generating station under statute 2102, or the transmission line under statute 2104, and the alternatives considered under statute 2103 and 2104,
6. The environmental information under statute 2108
7. A statement of the engineering justifications for the project;
8. A statement of the safety considerations incorporated into the design, construction, and maintenance of the project;
9. A statement of the socioeconomic impact of the project;
10. A statement of contacts with community groups and the affected community;
11. A statement that the applicant has complied with all applicable environmental and zoning laws;
12. A statement that the applicant has complied or will comply with the applicable PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
tariff and requirements for the interconnection of new and expanded electric generating facilities within the PJM transmission system.

The applicant can request, or the Commission may decided to review the project in two or more phases. If the Commission decides to undertake a phased proceeding then the process is as follows:
1. An applicant may file a partial petition 2. The Commission may render separate finding of fact on any phase or any issue within a phase; and 3. Findings of fact are pursuant to D.C. Code, 2001 Ed. statute 34-605(a) and may not be subject to further litigation unless warranted by new substantive issues or changed circumstances.

Electric corporations which operate in D.C. must submit an annual report, on or before February 15 of each calendar year. This report must summarize smaller-scale construction and the costs associated with these projects during the previous year.

BUILDING, ZONING AND FIRE CODES:

Building Codes: The District will enact the proposed 2008 DC Construction Code in fall of 2008. This code is comprised of the 2006 IBC

plus amendments.

Building Code Advisory Committee

Energy Codes: The 2008 DC Construction code contains an adoption of the 2006 IECC. Additionally, Washington DC has enacted green building legislation that has a phased implementation but will affect all buildings by 2012. Early adoption incentives are available.

Text of the DC Green Building Act of 2006

Fire Codes: The district has enacted the 2008 DC Fire Prevention Code as part of the DC Construction Code. The fire code references the 2006 IFC with amendments as given in the DC Construction Code.

Fire and Emergency Medical Services office

Zoning: Almost all private construction is subject to the zoning regulations adopted by the DC Zoning office.

Office of the Zoning Administrator

Resources (information may not be as current as provided above)

A general overview of each state’s enacted codes can be found HERE.

The International Code Council Adoption page gives state-by-state adoption status of specific ICC codes, as well as information about code adoption by some municipal governments within that state.

Information about energy codes can be found at the Department of Energy’s Building Codes for Energy Efficiency page or at the Building Codes Assistance Project

INTERCONNECTION REQUIREMENTS:

The District of Columbia does not currently have district-wide interconnection standards.

In Progress (updated 09/25/08): On July 25, 2008, in Formal Case No. 1050, the District of Columbia Public Service Commission (DCPSC) published the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Small Generator Interconnection Rules in the D.C. Register, requesting comments from interested parties. The period for comments and reply comments closed on September 10, 2008. The Commission is currently reviewing the comments and reply comments before taking final action on the Small Generator Interconnection rules. Additional information can be found on the DCPSC website under Formal Case No. 1050. For more information and to check on the status of the rulemaking contact the DCPSC.

DC Public Service Commission

1333 H Street, NW
Suite 200 , West Tower;
Washington, DC 20005

Phone: (202) 626-5100

EXIT FEES:

There are no exit fees for DG in the District of Columbia.

UTILITY STANDBY RATES:

DC does not have a statewide policy on standby rates.

Potomac Electric Power Company - Schedule S - A minor reservation fee is charged per kilowatt to secure standby capacity while actual energy service is charged under the appropriate rate schedule for the facility size. Billing demand is based on the maximum 30 minute demand of the month with no ratchet. Rate available at: http://www.pepco.com/home/choice/dc/tariffs/

Standby Service Schedule “S”
Applicability	Applies for service desired for emergency or abnormal conditions, another rate schedule, CG-SPP applies to CHP producers less than 25 kW
Facilities Charge	2% of the total installed costs of the facility
Production and Transmission Reservation Charge	$0.45/kW of contract demand
Usage Charge	Demand and energy charge normally applicable to the customer will be used.

District of Columbia

WHAT'S NEW:

AIR EMISSIONS REGULATIONS:

BUILDING, ZONING AND FIRE CODES:

EXIT FEES: