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Who cares
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Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to the rates paid for net-metering technology
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3917
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to the rates paid for micro-combined heat and power or fuel cell customer-generators
Purpose
To include micro-combined heat and power and fuel cell customer-generators in total rate reimbursement from electric corporations.
Summary of provisions
Amends paragraph (b) of subdivision 4 of section 66-j of the public service law to eliminate the exclusion of micro-combined heat and power and fuel cell customer-generators from receiving the a credit based on same rate per kilowatt hour as customers without on-site generation, just as other net metered technologies currently receive.
Existing law
Currently, micro-combined heat and power and fuel cells are credited at the utility's avoided cost for electricity produced in excess of the customer's usage.
Justification
The reliability and environmental advantages of microcombined heat (CHP) and power and fuel cell customer-generator technologies are proven, and such technologies should be provided with benefits equal to other renewable technologies.
Fuel cell and micro-CHP electric generating technology have many advantages. Fuel cells and micro-CHP commonly provide power to host facilities during power outages, enhancing storm response, and allowing critical facilities to remain operational in such events. Fuel cells and micro-CHP are exceptionally efficient, they can stretch available supplies of fuel, reduce energy costs and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The scalability and resiliency of fuel cells and micro-CHP makes them suitable for a wide range of heat and power needs in electronics, homes, offices, and factories.
In addition, these technologies have a low impact on their surroundings, with near-silent operation and low emissions. Fuel cells can be used in conjunction with solar panels or wind farms to produce electricity when sun or wind is unavailable.
Fuel cells and micro-CHP were added to net metering, because they are efficient, extremely low-emission sources of electricity generation. For these reasons, such technologies should be treated equally to renewable technologies in determining the appropriate rates for such technologies.
This bill was vetoed in 2014 due to an ongoing Public Service Commission proceeding (Reforming Energy Vision) which includes a
review of net metering and distributed energy resources. However, this bill is still necessary in order to encourage the installation of fuel cells and micro-CHP in the near future as the PSC proceeding is expected to be lengthy. Other states, such as Connecticut, are surpassing New York in fuel cell installations and we should not wait to further encourage the development of this industry in New York.
Legislative history
S.2383, 2013 referred to Energy and Telecommunications and 2014 vetoed (Memo 535); same as A.6367, 2013 passed Assembly and 2014 vetoed (Memo 535).
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.