What's happening
This bill allows public utilities in New York to purchase, own, and operate small wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems, subject to local laws.
Why it matters
Enables public utilities to directly generate renewable energy. By allowing utilities to own and operate small wind and solar systems, the bill could accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources and potentially reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Local control and community standards are preserved. Utilities must comply with all local laws (like noise, height, safety, and land use rules) and obtain municipal approval, ensuring that renewable energy projects fit community preferences and address resident concerns.
Potential for infrastructure modernization and resilience. Direct connection of these systems to the utility grid can help modernize the state's energy infrastructure, increase grid resilience, and support distributed generation, potentially benefiting consumers during outages or peak demand.
Job and economic impacts through certified installation. The requirement for certified individuals to install and connect equipment could promote local job growth in the renewable energy sector and ensure high standards for safety and performance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Utilities Build Green Energy
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Print number 5445a
- Amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
- Referred 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.
Let Utilities Run Renewables
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Robin Schimminger
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5445--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 29, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, GALLIVAN, KENNEDY, ORTT, RANZENHOFER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications -- recommitted to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to allowing public utilities to purchase, own and operate small wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 66-i to read as follows:
§ 66-i. Purchase of wind turbines. 1. Commencing September first, two thousand eighteen, a public utility company may purchase small wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems. Such companies may operate the wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems on land that is owned, or accessible to, the public utility company. The turbines and systems shall be directly connected to the public utility's electric grid.
2. Any wind turbine or solar photovoltaic system purchased and installed by a public utility company must comply with all local laws and ordinances, including, but not limited to:
(a) height requirements;
(b) noise restrictions;
(c) safety procedures;
(d) specified allotment of equipment on a specific parcel of land; and
(e) the use of certified individuals for the installation and connection of the equipment.
3. All turbines and systems purchased and installed pursuant to this section must be approved by the local municipality in which such turbines and systems are being operated.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07506-03-8
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 service law, in relation to allowing public utilities to purchase, own and operate small wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems
Purpose
To allow public utilities to purchase, own and operate small wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems.
Summary of provisions
§ 1- Amends the Public Service Law by adding a new section 66-i to allow, starting September 1, 2018, a public utility company to purchase, own and operate small wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems on land that is owned by or accessible to, the public utility company and shall be directly connected to the public utility's electric grid.
§ 2- Effective date.
Justification
New York State began permitting energy consumers to utilize net metering in 1997 for on-site renewable energy systems to promote the installation of renewable energy sources while reducing the consumer's utility bills. Over the years, the New York State Legislature has expanded the ability for consumers to obtain on-site renewable energy systems. As a result, New York State has seen a dramatic increase in the use of both wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems to produce energy. The use of such systems helps to offset the use of fossil fuels.
However, current NYS regulations preclude public utilities, including investor-owned and municipal electric utility companies, from purchas- ing, owning and operating small wind turbines or photovoltaic systems as is permitted under Federal Law. This requires the utility companies to rely heavily on fossil fuels to generate energy. Allowing publicly owned utility companies' ownership of such on-site renewable energy systems can very rapidly accelerate the use of alternative energy, provide far lower energy costs to consumers and improve security through distributed generation.
Legislative history
2015-2016: A.9307/S.7821.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
120 days.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.