Energy (Renewable Energy)

HB 2579, titled the "Net Metering and Easy Connection Act," modifies Missouri's net metering rules to set a 5% cap on the total capacity of small renewable energy systems (up to 100 kilowatts) connected to the grid. It requires electric utilities to offer net metering on a first-come, first-served basis until the combined capacity of all such systems reaches 5% of the utility's peak electricity demand from the previous year. After this cap is met, utilities' governing bodies may increase the limit, but they are not required to approve new applications if the total capacity would exceed the cap in a given year. This directly affects residential and small business customers with solar or similar renewable systems and the electric utilities serving them.