BILL NUMBER: S8841

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to require the New York state energy research and development
authority to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of
microgrids

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Relates to a study of and recommendations for the possible establishment
of microgrids to help protect vital public health and safety operations
and infrastructure in the event of major disruption to the power grid.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: The New York state energy research and development authority,
in consultation with the department of public service and the division
of homeland security and emergency services, shall prepare a report
including recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids for
protection of critical facilities in the state of New York.
              

Section 2: The authority shall submit the final report of recommenda-
tions to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the
speaker of the assembly within one year after the effective date of this
act.

Section 3: This act shall take effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Superstorm Sandy inflicted about $62 billion in damage and other losses
in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut. Hospitals, schools, police
stations, and critical infrastructure lost their supply of electricity.
Hospitals, nursing homes and facilities housing the disabled were left
without power, simultaneously creating life-threatening conditions for
chronically ill and informed patients. The latter group had to be
rescued from storm battered and flooded facilities by the National
Guard.

While loss of life at these facilities was avoided during this storm,
future natural disasters could be more threatening and devastating.  New
scientific estimates and flooding projections tell us that more areas in
New York State are now considered flood plains. In addition, had Super
Storm Sandy been a category 3 or higher storm, over 85% of New York City
would have flooded.

Had New York State constructed microgrids to protect hospitals, first
responder headquarters such as police and fire stations, emergency shel-
ters, schools, water filtration plants, sewage treatment plants and
other infrastructure, the extent of the damage caused by Superstorm
Sandy would have been tremendously mitigated.

Microgrids are a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy
resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a
single controllable entity with respect to the grid and can connect and
disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected
or island-mode.  The extent of severe damage caused by recent storms
demonstrates the tremendous benefits of having microgrids in place to
protect critical public health and safety infrastructure.

It is very clear that microgrids are needed in order to fully protect
the expensive and-extensive public safety and health infrastructure New
York has developed. In addition, microgrid technology can serve to save
lives by not only protecting the communication systems of first respon-
ders but also by protecting the electrical needs of hospitals and nurs-
ing homes where patients are connected to life-saving electrical equip-
ment.

This legislation requires a study of the positive impact of rolling out
microgrid technology and requires recommendations on how to fund the
construction of such a system. The need for such information is needed
in order for New York to consider all the variables in emergency
preparedness and planning. Additionally, with New York State in the
process of receiving billions of dollars in federal disaster assistance,
this is an opportune time to examine how the construction of microgrids
will benefit all communities in New York State.

This legislation is part of a package of bills that positions New York
to be better prepared, more resilient and able to provide relief and
recovery assistance to impacted communities quickly.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-22: 58650A - Tabled

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None. This legislation will actually help prevent possible billions in
damage to state and municipal government operated public safety facili-
ties and infrastructure if microgrids technology is implemented as part
of emergency planning in New York State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.