WAC 480-107-085   Obligations of generating facilities to the utility.  (1) The owner or operator of a generating facility purchasing or selling electricity under this chapter must execute a written agreement with the utility stating at a minimum that:

     (a) The owner or operator will construct and operate all interconnected generating facilities and interconnection facilities within its control in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations to ensure system safety and reliability of interconnected operations;

     (b) The generating facility will furnish, install, operate, and maintain in good order and repair, and without cost to the utility, such relays, locks and seals, breakers, automatic synchronizers, and other control and protective apparatus determined by the utility to be necessary for the safe and reliable operation of the generating facility in parallel with the utility's system; and

     (c) The utility will be able to gain access at all times to all switching equipment capable of isolating the generating facility from the utility's system.

     (2) The utility may choose to operate the switching equipment described in subsection (1)(c) of this section if, in the sole opinion of the utility, continued operation of the customer's generating facility in connection with the utility's system may create or contribute to a system emergency. Such a decision by the utility is subject to commission verification in accordance with WAC 480-107-115 System emergencies. The utility must endeavor to minimize any adverse effects of such operation on the customer.

     (3) Any agreement between a generating facility and a utility must state the extent to which the generating facility will assume responsibility for the safe operation of the interconnection facilities. The generating facility may not be required to assume responsibility for negligent acts of the utility.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. 06-08-025 (Docket No. UE-030423, General Order No. R-530), § 480-107-085, filed 3/28/06, effective 4/28/06.]