Authorizes the public service commission to implement performance-based regulation of electric or gas corporations; requires that any such regulation shall provide performance standards and metrics by which such performance shall be measured.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9459
IN SENATE
March 13, 2026
___________
Introduced by Sen. GONZALEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommuni-
cations
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to authorizing the
public service commission to implement performance-based regulation of
electric or gas corporations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section
2 66-x to read as follows:
3 § 66-x. Performance-based utility regulations. 1. The commission shall
4 be authorized to develop and adopt a framework for implementing perfor-
5 mance-based regulation of electric or gas corporations. Such perfor-
6 mance-based regulation may be used to provide incentives and penalties
7 to:
8 (a) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as defined in section 75-0101 of
9 the environmental conservation law;
10 (b) expand the use of distributed energy resources, community solar
11 projects, microgrids, demand response programs, and energy efficiency
12 programs;
13 (c) enhance the quality, reliability, and resiliency of electricity
14 and gas service in the state;
15 (d) offer flexible payment plans that reduce disconnections of elec-
16 tricity and gas service for low-income customers and other programs that
17 address the quality and affordability of electricity and gas services
18 for all customers; and
19 (e) improve all aspects of utility operations to reduce costs and pass
20 savings on to ratepayers.
21 2. A framework that is adopted pursuant to subdivision one of this
22 section shall:
23 (a) provide for performance standards and a baseline from which
24 performance shall be measured;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14479-04-6
S. 9459 2
1 (b) provide for performance metrics that are clear, objective, verifi-
2 able and achievable for measuring the performance of an electric or gas
3 corporation;
4 (c) describe how such performance standards and metrics are to be
5 carried out;
6 (d) identify actions and mechanisms that an electric or gas corpo-
7 ration may carry out or implement to meet such performance standards;
8 and
9 (e) provide incentives or penalties based on the performance of the
10 electric or gas corporation. In developing such incentives and penal-
11 ties, the commission shall take into consideration the impacts of such
12 incentives and penalties on rates paid by ratepayers.
13 3. The commission may provide for performance metrics that are not
14 subject to incentives or penalties, but such performance metrics may
15 require each electric or gas corporation to file an annual report with
16 the commission on the performance of such electric or gas corporation,
17 as measured by such performance metrics.
18 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
