Establishes the nodal metering initiative demonstration project

BILL NUMBER:S3466

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the nodal metering initiative demonstration project by the Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium

Purpose

Establishes the nodal metering initiative demonstration project

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Establishes the nodal metering initiative demonstration project, to pick and select appropriate nodal points along the transmission and distribution grids for the installation of smart meters to accurately measure the electricity consumption within a community of the Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium, and provides that the authority shall exercise oversight and is authorized to disburse funds to carry out the purposes of this section.

Section 2: States the effective date.

Justification

The town of Bedford in Northern Westchester played a leading role in establishing the State's first sustainable home energy loan program, which was recently adopted as statewide legislation.

For years now, federal and state energy initiatives, however brilliant in the lab, simply have not succeeded in reaching the kind of market penetration rates that are now required to push the reset button on our economy as the energy internet arrives.

There is strength in local numbers. In northern Westchester, Bedford has joined with thirteen other communities to create exactly the kind of grassroots expertise and initiatives for these policies and programs that are needed.

Resolutions passed and signed by the elected officials in fourteen municipalities pursuant to section 239-n of the general municipal law established the Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium, representing over 220,000 residents living in over 50,000 homes in Northern Westchester.

The Consortium's proposal for federal and state funding for a local smart grid ("nodal metering") demonstration project will generate potential energy savings for which the utilities will pay millions of dollars to have access to.

Much like the state followed Northern Westchester's lead in the sustainable home energy loan program; there is hope that following the nodal metering initiative project demonstration the state will continue to export their models for adapting in many other regions elsewhere.

Legislative history

6/30/10 PASSED SENATE (S.8348)

Fiscal implications

This bill would authorize New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to use existing monies to fund the nodal metering initiative demonstration project. Many energy reduction measures have a thirty rate of return, meaning they pay for themselves in utility savings within 3 years.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.