HR 4162 — Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2025

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html June 26, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a program to enhance participation in community solar programs, amending existing law to clarify definitions and requirements related to such programs.

• 16 U.S.C. 2621(d)

  (22) Community solar programs.--(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph: (i) Community solar facility.--The term `community solar facility' means a solar photovoltaic system that-- (I) allocates electricity to multiple electric consumers served by an electric utility; (II) is connected to local distribution infrastructure of the electric utility; (III) is located either on or off the property of 1 or more subscribers; and (IV) may be owned by an electric utility, 1 more subscribers, or a third party. (ii) Community solar program.--The term `community solar program' means a service provided by an electric utility to an electric consumer served by the electric utility through which the value of electricity generated by a community solar facility may be used to offset charges billed to the electric consumer by the electric utility. (iii) Subscriber.--The term `subscriber' means an electric consumer who participates in a community solar program. (B) Standard.--(i) Non-tribal utilities.--Each electric utility that is not a Tribal utility shall offer a community solar program to which all ratepayers of the electric utility, including low-income ratepayers, have equitable and demonstrable access. (ii) Tribal utilities.--(I) In general.--A Tribal utility may offer a community solar program. (II) Resources.--A Tribal utility that offers a community solar program may leverage the resources made available to the Tribal utility under this Act to carry out that community solar program. (C) Ownership of community solar facilities.--A community solar program established pursuant to this paragraph shall include a mechanism to allow electric utilities, non-utilities, and other appropriate entities to assume complete or partial ownership of relevant community solar facilities, as necessary to deliver customer benefits and mitigate the impacts of market concentration. (D) Technical assistance and other guidance.--The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and other guidance necessary to carry out a community solar program pursuant to this paragraph, including to State, local, and Tribal governments, as appropriate.

  This addition establishes a legal framework and definitions for community solar programs, specifying responsibilities for utilities and providing guidance for implementation.

• 16 U.S.C. 2622(b)

  (9)(A) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, each State regulatory authority (with respect to each electric utility for which the State has ratemaking authority) and each nonregulated electric utility shall commence consideration under section 111, or set a hearing date for consideration, with respect to the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d). (B) Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, each State regulatory authority (with respect to each electric utility for which the State has ratemaking authority), and each nonregulated electric utility shall complete the consideration and make the determination under section 111 with respect to the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d).

  This requirement mandates that state regulatory authorities consider and determine the implementation of community solar standards within specified timeframes.

• 16 U.S.C. 2622(c)

  subsection (b)(2) → subsection (b)

  This change broadens the applicability of compliance provisions regarding community solar program standards.

• 16 U.S.C. 2634

  In the case of the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d), the reference contained in this section to the date of enactment of this Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of that paragraph (22).

  This provision aligns the implementation timelines of community solar standards with the specific enactment date of the new paragraph.

Action History

1. June 26, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. June 26, 2025

   Introduced in House

3. June 26, 2025

   Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

4. June 26, 2025

   Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsors

• Yassamin Ansari · Cosponsor
• Nanette Diaz Barragán · Cosponsor
• Suzanne Bonamici · Cosponsor
• Julia Brownley · Cosponsor
• Adriano Espaillat · Cosponsor
• Jared Huffman · Cosponsor
• Raja Krishnamoorthi · Cosponsor
• Doris O. Matsui · Cosponsor
• Eleanor Holmes Norton · Cosponsor
• Paul Tonko · Cosponsor
• Kevin Mullin · Cosponsor
• Sean Casten · Cosponsor
• Kathy Castor · Primary

Subjects