Redefines a "customer-generator" under the public service law

1 Co-sponsor

• Martin Malavé Dilan

BILL NUMBER:S4500

Title of bill

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to net energy metering

Purpose

To clarify existing law to make it clear that a customer who leases a renewable energy system or has participates in a power purchase agreement is entitled to the full benefits of the net metering law.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends section 66-J of the public service law to change the definition of "customer generator" to cover leases and power purchase agreements.

Section 2. makes the same conforming changes to another part of

Section 66-J Section 3. makes the same conforming changes to another part of Section 66-J

Section 4. makes an identical amendment to section 66-1 of the public service law

Justification

Net energy metering has been ongoing in New York State since 1997. Since the initial law was passed the legislature has acted on multiple occasions to expand access and ensure that the intent of the statute was properly carried out by the Utility Companies and the Public Service Commission.

In 2011, the legislature passed a remote net metering law to allow the same customer generator to apply excess credits to multiple meters rather than just the meter where the system was interconnected. That law specifically mentioned and meant to include leased systems in addition to those systems which a customer generator owned or operated. None-the-less, the Commission and Utility Companies have been considering how or if to allow leased systems to participate in net metering.

This bill clarifies that leased systems and those who benefit from the output associated with a power purchase agreement can participate fully in net metering.

Fiscal implications

None

History

2013-2014: S.6957 - Passed the Senate

Effective date

This bill shall take effect immediately.