Media & Publications

We strongly oppose S.8384 (Parker) / A.9531 (Cusick). This bill would allow utility ownership of renewable generation, in contravention of over 25 years of New York State energy policy that shields electricity ratepayers from the risk of project development. Re-exposing ratepayers to this risk is not in the public interest, especially given rising energy costs. Having utilities build renewables and charge the full cost to ratepayers will not help achieve the targets of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) any faster or cheaper, partly because utilities cannot get through the Renewable Energy Siting Law (Executive Law Section 94-c) process any quicker than private independent power producers (IPP), as everyone needs to follow the same requirements for environmental review.

IPPNY supports S.5579-A (Parker) similar to A.3904 (Cusick). This legislation would enhance protection of critical infrastructure, such as power plants, from cyberattacks. Among other provisions, the bill would amend existing law on the power and duties of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and it would add cyberattacks to the list of parameters for which an assessment of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure (including, but not limited to, power plants and now, under the legislation, industrial control systems) would be done and for which protective strategies would be developed.

IPPNY supports S.8327-A (Kennedy)/ A.3768-A (Cusick). The bill would add fuel-flexible linear electric generating equipment to the provisions of the Net Metering Program and within the definition of alternate energy production facility in the Public Service Law. New York previously has provided parity-recognition for this technology relative to similarly beneficial clean energy alternatives by updating State law to add fuel-flexible linear generators to the list of equipment eligible for Sales Tax and Real Property Tax relief.

IPPNY opposes A.7389-C (Kelles) / S.6486-D (Parker). This bill would impose a two-year ban on the issuance and renewal of permits for fossil-fueled power plants involved with supplying “behind-the-meter” electricity to certain types of cryptocurrency mining operations, even though the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) already enforces permit requirements. This bill is also inconsistent with the Climate Action Council’s Draft Scoping Plan in that it sends a negative investment signal in business activity based upon energy use, even though associated emissions and impacts already are required to be controlled under State law.

IPPNY supports S.7027 (Parker) / A.8096 (Cusick). This bill would require the Public Service Commission (PSC) to remedy its Competitive Tier 2 Program for existing eligible renewable energy facilities so that it is structured in a way that best ensures the ongoing benefits of those facilities for New York State and the economies of their host communities.

IPPNY supports S.3108 (Parker). This bill would help foster private sector investment in clean energy technologies to reach the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s target of a zero-emissions power system by 2040. The legislation would also help to maintain electric system reliability as the State’s economy transitions to electrification. Those technologies must be significant in capacity and able to operate continuously and flexibly over many hours or days. The bill would send a market signal for needed technologies to be commercially available and cost-effective.

Today, the Independent Power Producers of New York (IPPNY) filed initial comments on the New York State Energy Research Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) petition for the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) review of proposed awards under Tier 4 of the Clean Energy Standard. NYSERDA’s petition requested the PSC’s approval of two contracts for the purchase of renewable energy credits under Tier 4 by NYSERDA from Clean Path New York LLC (CPNY) and the H.Q. Energy Services’ (HQUS) Champlain Hudson Power Express project to deliver renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuel generation in New York City (Zone J).

IPPNY opposes S.5939-A (Ramos) / A.6761-A (Mamdani). As drafted, this bill may jeopardize the electric power supply reserve margins that are needed to maintain electric system reliability. Importantly, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which is the entity in charge of maintaining reliability, repeatedly has indicated resource adequacy margins are tightening across the New York grid from Buffalo to Long Island, and reliability margins are thinning as soon as 2023. This looming reliability problem is further exacerbated by the requirements of Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) for electrification of the State’s economic sectors, the growth of intermittent resources, and the lack of needed energy storage capability and of new transmission facilities. Additional reliable sources of electricity supply will be essential to support this massive increase in electricity demand.

IPPNY’s Gavin Donohue provided written feedback on an initial version of the Draft Scoping Plan and has issued a statement on the top tier issues within the draft Plan. In terms of areas of concern for which additional Council resolution is needed, the statement emphasizes the importance of having the finalized Plan ensure energy reliability and consumer affordability. The statement also commends the State for finally beginning a robust discussion of the NYISO’s carbon pricing proposal, upon which it long has been silent.