Relates to on-farm energy generation

19 Co-sponsors

• Patty Ritchie
• Greg Ball
• John J. Bonacic
• David Carlucci
• John A. DeFrancisco
• Patrick M. Gallivan
• Terry Gipson
• Mark Grisanti
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• George Latimer
• Tom Libous
• Kathleen A. Marchione
• Velmanette Montgomery
• Michael F. Nozzolio
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer
• John L. Sampson
• Diane J. Savino
• James L. Seward
• Catharine Young

BILL NUMBER:S3806C

Title of bill

An act to amend the energy law and the public service law, in relation to net-metering and on-farm energy generation

Purpose

To reduce interconnection fees for farms that install renewable energy, increase the size of solar arrays allowed for farms on residential meters, lower farmers' utility bills and expand our state's agricultural economy.

Summary of provisions

Section 1-Cites the name of the act as the "Repower New York Farms Act".

Section 2-Amends subdivisions 1, 2 and 3 of section 3-101 of the energy law to include specific references to agriculture in the policy direction given in statute to the State Energy Planning Board.

Section 3-Amends subdivision 1 section 66-J of the public service law to allow a farm operation operating on a residential meter to install a solar energy system of up to 100 KW.

Section 4-Sets forth the effective date.

Justification

New York State is an agricultural leader when it comes to the production of dairy products, apples and many other important commodities. We also have seen an explosion in the growth of wineries, farm breweries and other businesses that are tied directly to our state's agricultural economy. The yogurt boom upstate has lead to a need for expanded milk production, and has spurred the growth of a new food processing manufacturing sector. This agricultural economic engine in upstate New York has in turn led to an increased demand for fresh agricultural products in and around New York City, including an expansion of green markets and farmers' markets. Investing in these enterprises would allow farmers to have more access to the millions of consumers in the New York City Metro area. In order to provide farmers with more capital to invest in their farm operations and in expanding their lines of distribution and retail sales into New York City, we must provide more relief from the ever increasing cost of energy.

This bill, by increasing the size of solar units that can be deployed to farm operations with residential meters, will lead to more on-farm renewable generation and therefore lower utility bills and more investment capital for farmers.

This bill also seeks to add sections to the energy law to ensure that agricultural interests are taken into account by the State energy planning board.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

Immediately