1. 1. An owner may apply to the commission for a written determination regarding whether a facility is a qualified facility by submitting to the commission a written application containing all of the following:

   1. a. Information regarding the ownership of the facility including the percentage of equity interest held by each owner.
   2. b. The nameplate generating capacity of the facility.
   3. c. Information regarding the facility’s initial placement in service.
   4. d. Information regarding the type of facility.
   5. e. Except when electricity is used for on-site consumption, a copy of an executed power purchase agreement or other agreement to purchase electricity upon completion of the project. An executed interconnection agreement or transmission service agreement shall be accepted by the commission under this paragraph if the owner of the facility has agreed to sell electricity from the facility directly or indirectly to a wholesale power pool market.
   6. f. Any other information the commission may require.
2. 2. The commission shall review the application and supporting information and shall make a preliminary determination regarding whether the facility is a qualified facility. The commission shall notify the applicant of the approval or denial of the application within thirty days of receipt of the application and information required. If the commission fails to notify the applicant of the approval or denial within thirty days, the application shall be deemed denied. An applicant who receives a determination denying an application may file an appeal with the commission within thirty days from the date of the denial pursuant to the provisions of chapter 17A. In the absence of a timely appeal, the preliminary determination shall be final. If the application is incomplete, the commission may grant an extension of time for the provision of additional information.
3. 3. A facility that is not operational within eighteen months after issuance of an approval for the facility by the commission shall cease to be a qualified facility. However, a facility that is approved as qualified under this section but is not operational within eighteen months due to the unavailability of necessary equipment shall be granted an additional twelve months to become operational. A facility that is granted and thereafter loses approval may reapply to the commission for a new determination.
4. 4. The maximum amount of nameplate generating capacity of all qualified facilities the commission may find eligible under this chapter shall not exceed fifty megawatts of nameplate generating capacity.
5. 5. An owner shall not be an owner of more than two qualified facilities.

2004 Acts, ch 1175, §413, 418; 2005 Acts, ch 179, §166; 2006 Acts, ch 1135, §2, 3, 12; 2008 Acts, ch 1128, §8, 15; 2009 Acts, ch 80, §3; 2011 Acts, ch 115, §2, 13; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §369