New York

Legislative activities

The New York legislature passed legislation on net-metering in 1997, and expanded and amended it several times since 1997. (2002 S.B. 6592, 2008 S.B. 7171, 2008 S.B. 8415, 2008 S.B. 8481, and 2009 A.B. 2442) It also established contractual methods for entering into voluntary solar easements in 1979 and 1981. [2, 3]

Regulatory activities

The New York State Public Service Commission has approved rates for Time of Use of both residential and business customers by 2002. By 2003 it had reviewed distributed generation and included net metering by 2009. Day-Ahead hourly pricing was approved prior to 2009 and demand side management was approved by 2004. [4, 5, 6, 7]

“In July 2007, the New York Public Service Commission decided not to adopt PURPA Standard 14 (“Time-Based Metering and Communications”) as enacted in EPACT 2005. The Commission determined that it already provides a “time-based metering and communications standard comparable to PURPA.” It found that although it has not adopted time-based rates for all of its customer classes, it has implemented both mandated and voluntary dynamic rates for various customer classes. The Order states “mandatory time-of-use rates are in effect for the utilities’ largest customer classifications [and]…. optional time-of-use rates are available to all residential customers.” In the Commission’s interpretation, this passes the comparability test:

“We interpret the comparable standard to include time-based metering and communications devices that are made available to some, but not all, electric customer classes. This interpretation recognizes that the comparable standard is an alternative means of complying with the full time-based metering and communications standard under PURPA.”

The Commission also references its AMI Initiative (whereby utilities have been required to file AMI plans), noting that it is working to deploy advanced metering—to the extent feasible and cost effective—to customers who currently are not offered time-based rates.” [1]

Time of Use rates break the cost for electricity into on-peak, mid-peak, or off-peak energy pricing.

Distributed generation includes cogeneration, small power production facilities, and net metering installations. The price of energy for distributed generation is either the Real Time cost of energy for the nearest generator bus price in the NYISO or the energy price for the Time of Use rate the customer is being served under.

Day-Ahead hourly pricing is based the NYISO posted zonal day-ahead market price for energy plus associated ancillary service charges.

Demand side management includes curtailment rates, day ahead demand reduction, and metering associated with Time of Use rates. Day ahead demand reduction allows customers to bid a portion of their load to receive payment if selected to reduce load by the bid amount on a given day. Curtailment rates require customers to receive a credit for de-energizing a contracted portion of their load for between four and eight hours based on company notification.

Utilities and Rate Schedules

Central Hudson Gas & Electric
- Central Hudson Gas & Electric Rates

Con Edison
- Con Edison Rates

National Grid
- National Grid Residential Rates
- National Grid Business Rates

NYSEG
- NYSEG Rates

Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation
- Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation Rates

See the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) for information on consumer-owned Cooperatives: http://www.nreca.org/members/MemberDirectory/Pages/default.aspx

State-Level Incentives

New York has tax credits, loans, and exemptions for wind and solar.

More information can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE): http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?re=1&ee=1&spv=0&st=0&srp=1&state=NY

Additional Resources

State Energy Office:
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

State Authority Dealing with Energy Regulation:
- New York State Public Service Commission
- Docket Search: http://www.dps.ny.gov/New_Search.html

New York Consolidated Laws

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE): http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?re=1&ee=1&spv=0&st=0&srp=1&state=NY

References

[1] Demand Response and Smart Metering Policy Actions Since the Energy Policy Act of 2005: A Summary for State Officials, Prepared by the U.S. Demand Response Coordinating Committee for The National Council on Electricity Policy, Fall 2008. URL: http://www.oe.energy.gov/DocumentsandMedia/NCEP_Demand_Response_1208.pdf
[2] Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, New York – Net Metering, 03/23/2010. URL: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=NY05R&re=1&ee=1
[3] Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, New York Solar Easements, 01/21/2010. URL: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=NY01R&re=1&ee=1
[4] Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Rates & Tariffs. URL: http://www.cenhud.com/rates/index.html
[5]Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation D/b/a national Grid Schedule for Electric Service Applicable in All Territory Served by this Company, 4/27/2009. URL:, https://www.nationalgridus.com/niagaramohawk/non_html/rates_psc220.pdf
[6] NYSEG, For suppliers and partners electricity tariffs, Tariffs on file with the Public Service Commission (PSC). URL: http://www.nyseg.com/SuppliersAndPartners/pricingandtariffs/electricitytariffs/default.html
[7] RG and E, For suppliers and partners psc no 19 - electricity, PSC No. 19 - Electricity. URL: http://www.rge.com/SuppliersAndPartners/pricingandtariffs/tariffratesummaries/psc19.html