NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7964A
SPONSOR: Paulin TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to a community
renewable facility pilot program
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would establish a pilot program to allow electric
customers to subscribe to their utility to purchase power produced from
community renewable energy facilities as a portion of their basic
service.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one would:
*Define "community renewable energy facility" to mean solar electric
generating equipment, wind electric generating equipment and hydroelec-
tric generating equipment not to exceed ten megawatts, which an electric
corporation is authorized to own and operate"
*Establish the New York state community renewable energy facility
program.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) would be directed to administer the
implementation of the community renewable energy facility program, which
would require electric corporations to:
*Own or hold a long-term lease on the real property on which a community
renewable energy facility would be connected, provided that such facili-
ty is located strategically with the electric grid;
*Issue a request for proposal for construction of such facilities;
*Provide opportunities for customers to participate in the pilot program
on a first come, first serve basis and provide that a percentage of
subscriptions be held for low and moderate income customers;
*Submit to the PSC detailed economic information, including cost of
service and project costs related to each solar facility; and
*Provide subscribing customers with a fixed rate for the portion of
their subscription attributable to their electric bill.
PSC would be required to submit to the legislature an annual report
detailing the status of the community renewable energy facility program.
Section two provides the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Many New Yorkers are interested in improving the environment and
protecting electric system reliability through the use of renewable
energy. Unfortunately, costs and space limitations prevent many custom-
ers from owning or leasing their own renewable energy systems. The
pilot program would allow electric corporations to offer subscriptions
for solar power to customers in a way that will prevent cost shifting to
those who do not participate. This pilot initiative is an important step
towards creating a comprehensive community renewable energy facility
program in the state.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Administrative costs of the PSC in overseeing the pilot program.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately; provided that not later than 180 days after this act shall
have become a law, the PSC shall have in place a competitive process
open to electric corporations.
