Includes certain not-for-profit organizations for collaboration purposes for microgrid recommendations

BILL NUMBER:S4969

Title of bill

An act to amend section 1 of part T of chapter 58 of the laws of 2013, relating to requiring the New York state energy research and development authority to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids, in relation to including certain not-for-profit organizations for collaboration purposes for microgrids

Purpose

Relates to a study of and recommendations for the possible establishment of microgrids to help protect vital public health and safety operations and infrastructure in the event of major disruption to the power grid.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Subdivision (a) of section 1 of part T of chapter 58 of the laws of 2013, relating to requiring the New York state energy research and development authority to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids, is amended to allow not-for-profit organizations with a mission to assist in disaster relief and recovery to collaborate on successful microgrids.

Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

Legislation proposing the study of microgrid installations to help with emergency and disaster planning and preparation were included in the State budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14. The new law will require a study on how microgrids will protect vital health and safety infrastructure, but left out nonprofits which are focused on disaster relief and recovery.

Maintaining power supply to such organizations and their command and control headquarters is essential because these nonprofits serve as key players in assisting governmental organizations in disaster relief, recovery and rescue. It is critically important that such organizations like the Red Cross and United Way and others are included in the review required by Chapter 58 of the laws of 2013.

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.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

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.