Requires the public service commission to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Requires the Public Service Commission (PSC), in consultation with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids in the State of New York and defines the term microgrids.

Section 2: The PSC is required to submit a final report of recommendations to the Governor, the Temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly within one year of the effective date of this act.

Section 3: This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

Super Storm Sandy is inflicted about $62 billion in damage and other losses in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut. Hospitals, schools, police stations, and critical infrastructure lost their supply of electricity. Hospitals, nursing homes and facilities housing the disabled were left without power, simultaneously creating life-threatening conditions chronically ill and infirmed patients. The latter group had to be rescued from storm battered and flooded facilities by the National Guard.

While loss of life at these facilities was avoided during this storm, future natural disasters could be more threatening and devastating. New scientific estimates and flooding projections tell us that more areas in New York State are now considered flood plains. In addition, had Super Storm Sandy been a category 3 or higher storm, over 85% of New York City would have flooded.

Had New York State constructed microgrids to protect hospitals, first responder headquarters such as police and fire stations, emergency shelters, schools, water filtration plants, sewage treatment plants and other infrastructure, the extent of the damage caused by Super Storm Sandy would have been tremendously mitigated.

Microgrids are a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid (and can) connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island-mode.

The extent of severe damage caused by recent storms demonstrates the tremendous benefits of having microgrids in place to protect critical public health and safety infrastructure.

It is very clear that microgrids are needed in order to fully protect the expensive and extensive public safety and health infrastructure New York has in developed. In addition, microgrid technology can serve to save lives by not only protecting the communication systems of first responders but also by protecting the electrical needs of hospitals and nursing homes where patients are connected to life-saving electrical equipment.

This legislation requires a study of the positive impact of rolling out microgrid technology and requires recommendations on how to fund the construction of such a system. The need for such information is needed in order for New York to consider all the variables in emergency preparedness and planning. Additionally, with New York State in the process of receiving billions of dollars in federal disaster assistance, this is an opportune time to examine how the construction of microgrids will benefit all communities in New York State.

Prior legislative history

New

Fiscal implications for state and local government

None. This legislation will actually help prevent possible billions in damage to state and municipal government operated public safety facilities and infrastructure if microgrids technology is implemented as part of emergency planning in New York State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately