Governor signs net metering bill; announces grants for renewables

FROM LOHUD

A bill meant to ease regulations on farmers and others who at least partially produce their own energy was signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to one of the bill’s sponsors.

The new law, which was pushed by Senate Energy Chair George Maziarz, R-Newfane, Niagara County and Bronx Assemblyman Marcus Crespo, allows for the net metering of energy production happen off site.

As it stood, the law required those who have a renewable energy-production system—such as a windmill or solar panels—to have a net-metering station connected to it, which wasn’t practical for some whose equipment wasn’t close to the place they use the energy, according to Maziarz’s office. System owners will now be able to use multiple meters; the old law only allowed one.

“This legislation will help a variety of customers—farms, businesses, local governments—take full advantage of the benefits of having installed renewable energy systems,” Maziarz said in a statement. “By spreading out excess power over multiple meters instead of losing it, these ratepayers will reduce their operating costs.”

The move drew praise from the Alliance for Clean Energy New york, which lobbied in favor of the bill as it passed through the Legislature.

“This amendment means customers seeking to install renewable energy system will not be restricted if their electricity needs are not located in the same place as their renewable energy resource,” said Carol Murphy, executive director of the group. “This is especially important for agricultural customers, as well as municipalities and school districts …”

Meanwhile, Cuomo announced the recipients of $191 million for renewable energy products, including several in the Southern Tier.

The projects are distributed through the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, and funded by a ratepayer surcharge from investor-owned utilities.

“New York has one of the most ambitious and responsible renewable energy targets in the nation: 30 percent by 2015,” Cuomo said in a statement. “These projects represent the future of energy in New York State and will result in a grid that is efficient, affordable, clean and reliable for generations to come.”

Here’s a list of the funding recipients, courtesy of the governor’s office:

Wind projects selected in this solicitation include:
· Howard Wind Farm, Canisteo, Steuben County
· Stony Creek Wind Farm, Wyoming, Wyoming County
· Allegany Wind Farm, Great Valley, Cattaraugus County
· Marble River Wind Farm, Churubusco, Clinton County

 

Hydroelectric projects include:
· An expansion at the Stewarts Bridge facility, Corinth, Saratoga County
· Three repowered hydro facilities – Wave Hydro, Baldwinsville, Onondaga County; Wiscoy, Allegany County; and Black Brook, Fillmore, Clinton County

Landfill gas-to-electricity projects include:
· Albany 2 project, Colonie, Albany County
· Hyland, Angelica, Allegany County
· DANC, Rodman, Jefferson County
· Chautauqua, Jamestown, Chautauqua County
· Modern, Youngstown, Niagara County
· Ontario, Stanley, Ontario County
· Seneca, Seneca Falls, Seneca County

Anaerobic digester projects include:
· Bergen Farms, Odessa, Schuyler County
· Windsor Acres, LLC, Harpursville, Broome County