PSC puts Maziarz bill into practice

On May 29, 2013 the Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Maziarz, that exempts electric car charging stations from being regulated as an electric corporation by the PSC. This legislation however was not passed by the Assembly. Last week, the PSC announced that it does not have jurisdiction over these publicly available stations, putting into practice the previously passed Senate legislation.

Senate Bill 5110 puts into statute clear directives from the legislature that electric car charging stations shall not be subject to PSC jurisdiction as electric utility corporations. After the passage of the ChargeNY Program as part of the 2013-2014 budget, the PSC commenced a proceeding to consider enacting regulations over companies who want to expand the availability of electric car charging stations. The Senate then passed its legislation to ensure that companies who want to partner with the State in constructing, maintaining and operating electric vehicle charging stations can implement their innovative technologies with a sense of regulatory surety.

“I’m pleased that the PSC took the Senate’s legislation and put it into practice despite the lack of passage from the Assembly,” said Senator George D. Maziarz, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. “New York will provide companies the surety that they can commit to this Program and implement their designs without the overreaching regulatory arm of the PSC. The growth of energy efficient and energy alternative technologies is a driving force for the future of this State, and S.5110 and its implementation by the PSC goes one step further in assuring that future.”

In its release, the PSC states that the implementation of this procedure keeps with the Governor’s initiative to further electric vehicle usage in New York.

“Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery,” said Maziarz. “I am glad the PSC saw the importance of the legislation that my colleagues and I passed in the Senate and are putting it into practice. We need to continue to put measures into place in New York that provide for innovation and support alternative energy.”