Relates to a community renewable facility program

Title of bill

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to a community renewable facility pilot program

Purpose or general idea of bill

This legislation would establish a pilot program to allow electric customers to subscribe to their utility to purchase power produced from community renewable energy facilities as a portion of their basic service.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one would:

*Define "community renewable energy facility" to mean solar electric generating equipment, wind electric generating equipment and hydroelectric generating equipment not to exceed ten megawatts, which an electric corporation is authorized to own and operate"

*Establish the New York state community renewable energy facility program.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) would be directed to administer the implementation of the community renewable energy facility program, which would require electric corporations to:

*Own or hold a long-term lease on the real property on which a community renewable energy facility would be connected, provided that such facility is located strategically with the electric grid;

*Issue a request for proposal for construction of such facilities;

*Provide opportunities for customers to participate in the pilot program on a first come, first serve basis and provide that a percentage of subscriptions be held for low and moderate income customers;

*Submit to the PSC detailed economic information, including cost of service and project costs related to each solar facility; and

*Provide subscribing customers with a fixed rate for the portion of their subscription attributable to their electric bill. PSC would be required to submit to the legislature an annual report detailing the status of the community renewable energy facility program.

Section two provides the effective date.

Justification

Many New Yorkers are interested in improving the environment and protecting electric system reliability through the use of renewable energy. Unfortunately, costs and space limitations prevent many customers from owning or leasing their own renewable energy systems. The pilot program would allow electric corporations to offer subscriptions for solar power to customers in a way that will prevent cost shifting to those who do not participate. This pilot initiative is an important step towards creating a comprehensive community renewable energy facility program in the state.

Prior legislative history

New bill FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Administrative costs of the PSC in overseeing the pilot program.

Effective date

Immediately; provided that not later than 180 days after this act shall have become a law, the PSC shall have in place a competitive process open to electric corporations.