What's happening
This bill establishes a temporary moratorium on zero-emission credit requirements for certain upstate New York nuclear power plants.
Why it matters
Pauses financial support for select nuclear plants. By halting zero-emission credit (ZEC) requirements for Fitzpatrick, Ginna, and Nine Mile Point nuclear plants, the bill suspends a key subsidy used to keep these facilities economically viable during the moratorium period.
Potential impact on electricity rates and state finances. The ZEC program is funded by charges on ratepayers’ electric bills. Suspending these credits could temporarily lower utility costs for consumers and businesses, but may also increase financial pressures on the nuclear plants.
Short-term uncertainty for clean energy goals. By suspending ZECs—which are designed to support carbon-free electricity generation—this bill could undermine state efforts to maintain clean energy production from nuclear power during the moratorium, possibly affecting New York’s emissions targets in the interim.
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Headline styles
Pause Nuclear Zero-Emission Credits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Print number 4800a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Pause Zero-Emission Credits
In Assembly Committee · Energy · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4800--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 1, 2017
Introduced by Sens. AVELLA, KRUEGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to establish a moratorium on that portion of the order of the state of New York public service commission, issued August 1, 2016 in cases 15-E-0302 and 16-E-0270 enacting a zero-emission credit requirement in relation to certain upstate nuclear generating facilities; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. There is hereby established a moratorium on that portion of the order of the state of New York public service commission, issued August 1, 2016 in cases 15-E-0302 and 16-E-0270 enacting a zero-emission credit requirement in relation to certain upstate nuclear generating facilities. Such upstate nuclear generating facilities shall be the Fitzpatrick, Ginna and Nine Mile Point nuclear generating facilities referred to in such order. Specifically, paragraphs ten, eleven, and twelve of said order shall be subject to the moratorium established by this act.
§ 2. Severability. If any provision of this act or the application thereof shall for any reason be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this act, but shall be confined in its operation to the provision thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after August 1, 2016 and shall expire July 1, 2017 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04592-03-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to establish a moratorium on that portion of the order of the state of New York public service commission, issued August 1, 2016 in cases 15-E-0302 and 16-E-0270 enacting a zero-emission credit requirement in relation to certain upstate nuclear generating facilities; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
To establish a moratorium on an order of the New York State Public Service Commission enacting a zero-emission credit requirement in relation to certain upstate nuclear generating facilities.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Establishes a moratorium on paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 of the New York State Public Service Commission's order issued on August 1, 2016 enacting a zero-emission credit requirement to Fitzpatrick, Ginna and Nine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Facilities in upstate New York.
Section 2. Severability Clause
Section 3. Effective Date and repeal provisions
Justification
This legislation would place a moratorium on the nuclear-specific Zero Emissions Credit (ZEC) program included in the New York Public Service Commission's (PSC) Order to implement a large-scale Renewable Program and a Clean Energy Standard that was approved on August 1, 2016. Under this program, ZECs would be granted to the Fitzpatrick, Ginna and Nine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Facilities based on megawatt-hours of carbon-free electricity generated over a 12-year period.
While remaining mindful and supportive of the effort to meet the goal of generating 50% of the state's electricity from renewable resources by the year 2030, it would be counterproductive to spend billions of dollars to subsidize a nuclear industry that would compete with clean and renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind. These nuclear power plants are old, unprofitable, and a danger to public health and safety. Moreover, the costs of providing this credit would be passed on to New York's already financially over-burdened ratepayers. Approximately $965 million is expected to be directed to the plants over the first two years alone.
Placing a moratorium on this aspect of the PSC's Order until July 1, 2017 will provide an opportunity to perform an unrushed and transparent examination of alternative mechanisms to succeed in meeting an ambitious, yet desirous, clean energy standard.
Legislative history
2017: New Legislation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after August 1, 2016 and shall expire July 1, 2017 when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.