BILL NUMBER:S2802

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public authorities law, in
relation to establishing the nodal metering initiative pilot
demonstration project by the Northern Westchester Energy Action
Consortium

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:  Establishes the Nodal Metering
Initiative Demonstration Project in Northern Westchester County.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the Public Authorities Law by adding sections 1884
and 1885.

§ 1884 - Establishes the Nodal Metering initiative Demonstration
Project to select appropriate nodal points along the transmission and
distribution grids for the installation of smart meters. The smart
meters will accurately measure the electricity consumption within
several municipalities that have formed the Northern Westchester
Energy Action Consortium.

§ 1885 - The New York State Energy Research Development Authority
shall exercise oversight and is authorized to disburse funds to carry
out the purposes of this section.

              

Section 2: Establishes the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:  Fourteen municipalities in Northern Westchester County
formed the Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium (Consortium).
It was conceived as a grassroots enterprise to create and execute
energy efficient policies on the local level(s). The Consortium was
officially established through municipal resolutions passed and signed
by the elected officials in these fourteen municipalities pursuant to
section 239-n of the General Municipal Law. These communities
represent over 220,000 residents living in over 50,000 homes in
Northern Westchester County.

The Consortium members have developed a local smart grid ("nodal
metering") demonstration project proposal that would be eligible for
federal and state funding. It is anticipated that the Nodel Metering
Project will generate potential energy savings so that utilities would
have the financial incentives to tap into the smart grid system.

Local pioneering projects that have proven success are an effective
means to experiment without incurring tremendous costs. For example,
the Town of Bedford, in Northern Westchester County, a key member of
the Consortium, established its energy efficiency credentials through
its sustainable home energy loan program. This local home energy
program's success was such that it has been adapted and adopted on a
statewide basis. This legislation provides an opportunity for
experimentation on the local level in a fiscally prudent manner that
holds potential for future statewide adoption.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  A.11242/S.8348 in 2010 6/7/11 Reported and
Committed to Finance 2/14/12 Recommit, Enacting Clause Stricken


FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  This bill would authorize New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority to use existing monies to fund the
nodal metering initiative demonstration project. Many energy reduction
measures have a thirty rate of return, meaning they pay for themselves
in utility savings within 3 years.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This Act shall take effect immediately on the
ninetieth day after it shall have become law.