Bill > HB3530

This bill, known as the "Missouri Home Battery and Grid Resilience Act," establishes new provisions for utilities and aims to promote the installation of battery energy storage systems in homes. It defines key terms like "aggregator" (an entity managing multiple battery systems for grid services), "battery energy storage system" (a device capable of storing and discharging electricity), "commission" (the Missouri Public Service Commission), "grid services" (providing support to the electricity grid), and "utility" (an electrical corporation). Utilities must file programs offering customer incentives for installing eligible battery systems behind their meters, requiring these systems to be enrolled in a grid services tariff for at least five years, and allowing various ownership structures. Participating utilities will provide an upfront rebate of $500 per kilowatt-hour of battery capacity (up to 30 kWh per home) and performance payments based on committed discharge power and energy delivered during specific events. The bill outlines how program costs will be recovered by utilities through regulatory assets, ensuring these costs are offset by savings and that low-income customers are not unduly burdened, while also allowing utilities to use federal funds or private contributions. It also mandates annual reporting by utilities to the commission on program performance and allows the commission to create necessary rules. Furthermore, the bill details customer rights and protections, including clear disclosures from installers, lessors, or aggregators, a three-day rescission period for agreements, and requirements for third-party owners to maintain systems and carry liability insurance. Finally, it creates a statewide licensing program for solar and energy storage contractors, requiring them to meet specific qualifications, maintain insurance, undergo background checks, complete compliance courses, and adhere to advertising, sales, installation, and warranty standards, with penalties for non-compliance.