What's happening
This bill requires a comprehensive study and management plan for electricity and steam capacity in New York's downstate region.
Why it matters
Examines both current and future energy needs. By requiring a thorough study of electricity and steam capacity, the bill aims to identify where the downstate region might face shortages, bottlenecks, or have excess capacity, which can impact both reliability and cost of power for residents and businesses.
Considers environmental and community impacts of energy infrastructure. The mandated study must assess factors like emissions, water, land use, traffic, and noise for large power plants, which signals a focus on not just energy supply but also on potential negative effects on local communities and the environment.
Promotes alternatives and efficiency. The plan must evaluate options such as energy efficiency, load curtailment, clean distributed generation, and co-generation, potentially encouraging cleaner, more resilient, and less centralized energy solutions for the region.
Sets a foundation for more equitable and strategic siting of power plants. By identifying areas already oversaturated with power facilities and requiring public hearings, the bill aims to ensure that future infrastructure is sited more fairly, with community input, and that older, less efficient plants are targeted for upgrades or replacement.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Downstate Energy Needs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2358
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to directing the New York state energy research and development authority to conduct a study related to a comprehensive energy plan for the downstate region of the state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1855-a to read as follows:
§ 1855-a. Comprehensive energy management plan. 1. The authority is hereby authorized and directed to conduct a comprehensive study to analyze the electricity and steam capacity and power distribution grid conditions in the downstate region of the state. For purposes of this section, "downstate" shall be defined as that region located south of the Millwood - South transmission interface. Such study shall include, but shall not be limited to:
(a) an analysis of projected power needs and an assessment of existing:
(i) generating facilities with a capacity of twenty megawatts or more;
(ii) power grid capacity and load pockets;
(iii) natural gas and other fuel source capacity;
(iv) substation transformers; and
(v) emergency generators;
(b) an analysis of future power needs;
(c) an environmental assessment of generating facilities with a capacity of twenty megawatts or more including, but not limited to:
(i) emissions;
(ii) water impacts;
(iii) land use impacts;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07390-01-7
S. 2358 2
(iv) traffic impacts; and
(v) noise impacts;
(d) the identification of areas of oversaturation of power facilities; and
(e) an assessment of alternatives, such as:
(i) energy efficiency;
(ii) load curtailment;
(iii) clean distributed generation; and
(iv) co-generation.
2. The authority shall submit a copy of such study to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the chairperson of the senate energy and telecommunications committee and the chairperson of the assembly energy committee no later than January first, two thousand eighteen.
3. Upon completion of the study conducted pursuant to subdivision one of this section, the authority shall develop an overall comprehensive energy management plan. Such plan shall take into account the results and findings of such study, and shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:
(a) an outline of guidelines and requirements for siting power plants;
(b) the research of potential sites for future power plant locations that meet the guidelines and requirements established pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision and are not located in areas of oversaturation;
(c) an identification of existing plants that should be targeted for re-powering with more efficient generators; and
(d) a requirement that at least two public hearings be held within the downstate region described in subdivision one of this section within sixty days of the publication of such management plan, and provide adequate opportunity for written testimony regarding such plan.
4. The authority shall submit a copy of such management plan to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the chairperson of the senate energy and telecommunications committee and the chairperson of the assembly energy committee no later than September first, two thousand eighteen.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to directing the New York state energy research and development authority to conduct a study related to a comprehensive energy plan for the downstate region of the state
Summary of provisions
Section 1: of the bill authorizes and directs NYSERDA to conduct a comprehensive study to analyze the electricity and steam capacity and Power distribution grid conditions in the downstate region of New York State. Downstate is defined as the region located south of the Millwood-South transmission interface (near the Rockland/Westchester borders). Section one lists those items to be included in the study.
Paragraph two directs NYSERDA to submit a copy of the study to the Governor and Legislature no later than January 1, 2018.
Paragraph three directs NYSERDA to develop an overall comprehensive energy management plan, taking into account the results and findings of the study.
Paragraph four directs NYSERDA to submit a copy of the management plan to the Governor and Legislature no later September 1, 2018.
Justification
New York State residents and commercial businesses pay the highest electricity prices in the continental United States. New York City metro residents pay the highest prices in the state. The metro region is constrained from importing more electricity, in order to increase supply and thereby lower prices, because the transmission system is fully utilized. Unless and until new transmission lines are brought in from outside the city, most of New York City's electricity needs (80%) must be met with in-city generation.
According to the Independent System Operator, which runs the state's electric grid, the state is dangerously close to being unable to meet electric system reliability requirements with our current supply of generation, and New York City will fall 67MW short of the electricity needed for this upcoming summer peak season. Additionally, the State's Energy Planning Board, whose function is to adopt a state energy plan and rules and regulations to implement the plan, has expired.
Enactment of this legislation will provide an analysis of: current and future downstate power needs; existing generating facilities; power grid capacity; substation transformers; emergency generators; and water, land use, traffic and noise impacts of power generation. The bill will serve to identify, areas of over saturation of power facilities and an assessment of alternatives.
The downstate energy management plan called for by this legislation will allow New York City to have a comprehensive, long-range plan to meet its energy needs.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.2563A - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications 2013-14: S.3128 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications 2011-12: S.1068/A.1679 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications 2009-10: S.1785A/A.461A - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications 2007-08: S.1994/A.8668 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications 2006-07: 5.845 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.