OAR 860-039-0045. Net Metering Interconnection Fees and Costs

(1) A public utility may not charge an application, or other fee, to an applicant that requests Tier 1 interconnection review. However, if an application for Tier 1 interconnection review is denied, and the applicant resubmits the application under another review procedure, the public utility may impose a fee for the resubmitted application, consistent with this section. (2) For a Tier 2 interconnection review, the public utility may charge fees of up to $50.00 plus $1.00 per kilowatt of the net metering facility's capacity, plus the reasonable cost of any required minor modifications to the electric distribution system or additional review. Costs for such minor modifications or additional review will be based on the public utility’s non-binding, good faith estimates and the ultimate actual installed costs. Costs for engineering work done as part of any additional review will not exceed $100.00 per hour. A public utility may adjust the $100.00 hourly rate once in January of each year to account for inflation and deflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. (3) For a Tier 4 interconnection review, the public utility may charge fees of up to $100.00 plus $2.00 per kilowatt of the net metering facility's capacity, as well as charges for actual time spent on any required impact or facilities studies. Costs for engineering work done as part of an impact study or interconnection facilities study will not exceed $100.00 per hour. A public utility may adjust the $100.00 hourly rate once in January of each year to account for inflation and deflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. If the public utility must install facilities in order to accommodate the interconnection of the net metering facility, the cost of such facilities will be the responsibility of the applicant.