Relates to net metering standards for municipal landfills and waste water treatment facilities

2 Co-sponsors

• Tony Avella
• David Carlucci

BILL NUMBER:S5430

Title of bill

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to net metering standards for municipal landfills and waste water treatment facilities

Purpose: To allow municipal landfills and water treatment facilities the option of offsetting their energy costs by producing their own energy and feeding it back into the grid.

Summary of Provisions:

Section 1 amends § 66-j of the public services law by adding the phrase "landfills and publicly owned treatment works."

Section 2 amends § 66-j of the public services law by adding a new subdivision (i) which provides the definition of a landfill.

Section 3 amends § 66-j of the public services law by adding a new subdivision (I) which provides the definition of publicly owned treatment works.

Section 4 amends § 66-j of the public services law by adding a new subdivision (m) which provides the definition of waist fueled electric generating equipment.

Section 5 sets forth the effective date.

Justification: This bill broadens net metering law in New York State to include energy generated at county or municipal landfills and water treatment facilities as electricity power companies must purchase back upon the county or municipalities request. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), forty-four states have implemented net-metering policies. This reflects a national trend in which states see the value of net-metering is an economically viable and environmentally sound principle.

In the case of this bill, counties and municipalities will save money by producing their own energy that is sent back into the energy grid. Landfills and water treatment facilities will be able to trap the methane gas released from waste and convert it to a renewable energy source. In addition, energy produced by utility companies will no longer have to be exported to other states. Net metering allows for the same energy to circulate within local power grids, as utilities no longer have to produce an excess in order to avoid losing money.

The use of solar panels on the rooftops of residential homes is currently the most common form of net metering. Governor Cuomo's one billion dollar "NY-Sun Incentive Program" in 2014 has also encouraged businesses to invest in solar energy, which may be eligible for net-metering. By expanding the definition of net metering, counties and municipalities will be given the same opportunity to reduce energy costs that residential and commercial facilities have already been given.

Legislative History: None.

Fiscal Implications: To be determined.

Effective Date: This act shall take effect immediately.