Establishes the state energy planning board

BILL NUMBER:A5877B

Title of bill

An act to amend the energy law and the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the state energy planning board

Purpose

Reauthorizes Article Six of the Energy Law, regarding energy planning requiring comprehensive studies of the state's energy needs.

Summary of provisions

This legislation would re-enact Article Six of the Energy Law, in respect to Energy Planning. The provisions would address shortcomings in previous energy planning law by requiring comprehensive studies of the state's energy needs and by directing analyses to be conducted on the regional energy markets in the state. Such studies shall include assessments of the following: regional and statewide analyses of power generation, transmission and distribution; greenhouse gas emissions; reliability and affordability; short and long term fuel forecasts; renewable energy technologies and distributed generation; environmental justice and public health; efficiency and conservation; transportation; residential, commercial and industrial construction; emergency manage- ment; and economic development.

The bill would empower the Board to hold hearings, adopt rules and regu- lations and issue subpoenas. It would require energy suppliers to file information necessary to the development of the State Energy Plan. It would direct the Power Authority of the State of New York and the Long Island Power Authority to participate in the planning process and to submit strategic, operating and capital plans. The bill would also require state agencies to report on the progress made to implement iden- tified energy plan policies and priorities and progress made to attain energy plan goals. The Board would submit to the Governor, Temporary President of the Senate, Speaker of the Assembly, Assembly Chair of the Energy Committee and Senate Chair of the Committee on Energy and Tele- communications a completed Energy Plan on or before March 15, 2013. The Board would then be directed to adopt a new plan at least every four years thereafter and provide biennial reports on the plan's implementa- tion.

Statement of support

Establishing a comprehensive, dynamic and permanent energy planning process will ensure that New York has a clear and long-term responsibil- ity to create a roadmap to energy independence. A statutorily empowered independent Energy Planning Board consisting of broad representation from all sectors will have the ability to thoroughly examine our current and future energy related challenges and frame them in both a regional and statewide context.

A continually evolving Energy Plan will identify and set priorities for our State in the following areas: power generation, transmission and distribution; reliability and affordability; greenhouse gas emission

mitigation; fuel diversity; the research, development and deployment of renewable energy technologies; the environment and public health; effi- ciency and conservation; transportation; residential, commercial and industrial construction; workforce training and economic development.

This law will provide the planning board with the tools to mandate the full and complete participation of all entities essential to completing a truly comprehensive State Energy Plan, which in turn would provide guidance and context for energy-related decisions made by the public and private sectors within New York State.

Prior legislative history

2008: A.11587A (Cahill) - Reported to Third Reading. 2007: A.8967 (Tonko) - Passed Assembly; Died in Senate. 2006: A.10372 (Tonko) - Passed Assembly; Died in Senate.

Fiscal implications

None for 2009-2010 Fiscal Year.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.