BILL NUMBER: S6881

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the energy law, in relation to explicitly permitting the
standard utility interconnection of sub-transmission lines for partic-
ular projects

 
PURPOSE:

This bill seeks to provide clarity that certain distributed energy
sources may interconnect to a sub transmission line in the same way they
currently interconnect to other such lines.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Makes clear that despite other policies to the contrary,
distributed generation projects may interconnect to a sub transmission
line provided they meet all other applicable rules and standards.

Section 2. Sets forth the effective date.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York State is a leader in the fight against climate change and has
worked toward crafting state policies that will allow for the transition
to 100% renewable power by the year 2050. Article 3 of the State Energy
Law among other documents make these goals clear, particularly consider-
ing the adoption of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
(CLCPA).

It is in the best interest of the State of New York to adopt policies
that reasonably advance the goals outlined in the CLCPA and create
uniformity in their application across all utility service territories.
This legislation seeks to address one small obstacle in the intercon-
nection process for distributed renewable generation. Some State utili-
ties allow a renewable developer to interconnect at the sub transmission
level and others do not. This incongruence causes delays and additional
costs in the system that can ill afford them, given our 2050 goals. This
legislation is needed to make clear that distributed generation must be
allowed to interconnect at the sub transmission levels in all areas of
the State of New York. This will encourage faster development and
deployment and assist the state in further reducing emissions and its
dependence on fossil fuels.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately