Plugged In To Energy & Telecom

Coverage of Energy and Telecommunication News & Policy Across New York State

February 13, 2023

What’s Inside

• Public Service Commission Issues Draft February Agenda
• New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment Issues Draft February Agenda
• Vermont Joins Multi-State Effort to Create Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in Northeast
• Senator Introduces Next Generation 911 Legislation
• Legislative Update
• Regulatory Update
• In The News

Public Service Commission Issues Draft February Agenda

The Public Service Commission announced today that it will hold its next regular session beginning at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, February 16, 2023. The session will be held in the Commission’s offices located at Three Empire State Plaza, 19th Floor, Albany, and the 4th Floor Boardroom of the Department’s New York City office, located at 90 Church Street, New York, New York.

The draft regular agenda lists only one regular agenda item:

20-E-0197 – Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Implement Transmission Planning Pursuant to the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act.

The draft agenda also includes a lengthy consent agenda.

New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment Issues Draft February Agenda

The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (Siting Board) will meet on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., in the 19th Floor Board Room of the Department of Public Service’s (Department) Albany office, located at Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, and the 4th Floor Boardroom of the Department’s New York City office, located at 90 Church Street, New York, New York.

The draft February agenda lists only one agenda item:

20-F-0043 Application of Garnet Energy Center, LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need Pursuant to Article 10 to Construct and Operate a Solar Generating Facility and Energy Storage System in the Town of Conquest, Cayuga County.

Vermont Joins Multi-State Effort to Create Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in Northeast

The Governor announced that Vermont has signed on to a multi-state agreement, joining with New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island, to develop a proposal to become one of up to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs designated through the federal Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program included in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub of seven states and more than 100 clean hydrogen ecosystem partners is moving forward to develop and submit a full proposal to the United States Department of Energy to compete for funding through the $8 billion program.

Since the initial announcement in March 2022 and update in August 2022, the Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub has continued to add strategic partners representing all parts of the clean hydrogen ecosystem, including private sector industry leaders, infrastructure and logistics experts, non-profits, technology and equipment manufacturers, hydrogen project developers, transportation leaders, utilities and state agencies.

In addition to Vermont, new partners include:

Iroquois Gas Transmissions System, LP

AES

Alstom

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind

Brown University

Carrier Global Corporation

Cianbro

ClearCell Power

Corning Incorporated

Dominion Energy

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Enbridge

Golu Hydrogen Technologies

Green Waste Energy, Inc

GKN Hydrogen

H2.Vision

Ideanomics

Ivys Energy Solutions

Lightfuel Hydrogen

LuftCar

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Mainspring Energy

Massachusetts Port Authority

Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc.

New Jersey Resources

NextEra Energy Resources

Nikola

Nuvera Fuel Cells

Partnership for Rhode Island

Princeton University

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)

Raytheon Technologies Research Center

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority

Rose Cay GP, LLC

Rose Cay Maritime, LLC

Rutgers University

Spotimyze Energy

SWITCH Maritime

Symbio North America

Universal Hydrogen Co.

University of Maine

University of Massachusetts Lowell

University of Rhode Island

Williams

WINDEA CTV

 

Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub partners have committed to collaborate with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York Power Authority (NYPA), and Empire State Development (ESD) on proposal development to advance clean hydrogen projects. Partnering states will also coordinate with their respective state entities to help align the collaborative’s efforts with each state’s climate and clean energy goals.

In addition, Adam Zurofsky has been named New York State’s Interim Director of the Northeast Regional Hydrogen Hub effort. In that capacity, Adam will oversee the process of submitting a final application to the Department of Energy, working with the partner states and other stakeholders to maximize the impact of the Hub and its ability to advance shared priorities. Adam previously served as Deputy Secretary for Energy and Finance for the State of New York and was the Founding Executive Director of Rewiring America, a non-profit dedicated to advancing economically beneficial decarbonization strategies. Adam also teaches climate policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Senator Introduces Next Generation 911 Legislation

State Senator Monica Martinez, Chair of the Standing Committee on Local Government, introduced two bills designed to help with the deployment of Next Generation 911.

Next Generation 911 (commonly referred to as NG911) is a digital, internet protocol (IP)-based system that will replace the analog 911 infrastructure that’s been in place for decades.

The success and reliability of 911 will be greatly improved with the implementation of NG911, as it will enhance emergency number services to create a faster, more resilient system that allows voice, photos, videos and text messages to flow seamlessly from the public to the 911 network. NG911 will also improve public safety answering points’ ability to help manage call overload, natural disasters and transfer of 911 calls based on caller location data.

S.4560 Martinez – Relates to the public safety surcharge

This bill would repeal subdivision 5(a) of section 185-f of the Tax Law which provides that forty-one and seven-tenths of the revenues collected and received under this section of the Tax Law be deposited into the state general fund.

The bill also increases the funds made available to counties for the development, consolidation, or operation of public safety communications systems by $25 million, increasing from $75 million to $100 million annually.

S.4583 Martinez – Relates to the next generation 911 system, an emergency services internet protocol network

This bill amends the County Law to provide the definition for “next generation 911 system, an emergency services internet protocol network (ESINet)” to mean a new base technology enabling the public or subscriber of a communication service to reach an appropriate public safety answering points (PSAP) by sending the digits 911 via dialing, text, or short message service (SMS), or any other technological means. Further, the bill requires that the State offer a statewide ESINet available for connection to local public safety answering points.

Legislative Update

State Assembly Agendas (Bills of Interest)

Cities (BRAUNSTEIN)

9:30 AM, Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Room 835 LOB

The committee meeting will be broadcast on the NYS Assembly website.

A.603 Braunstein/S.1338 Comrie – An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, relating to requiring notice to members of the legislature and certain local officials relating to utility construction and other projects affecting such members’ and officials’ districts, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 4013-A and A. 355-A, in relation to the effectiveness thereof chapter amendment

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Codes (DINOWITZ)

OFF THE FLOOR, Tuesday, February 14, 2023

The committee meeting will be broadcast on the NYS Assembly website.

A.1880 Dinowitz/No Same As – An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to establishing the New York electronic communications privacy act (“NYECPA”)

A.3596 Paulin/S.1042 Hinchey – An act to amend the penal law and the civil rights law, in relation to unlawful dissemination or publication of intimate images created by digitization and of sexually explicit depictions of an individual; and to repeal certain provisions of the penal law relating thereto

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Energy (BARRETT)

OFF THE FLOOR, Monday, February 13, 2023

The committee meeting will be broadcast on the NYS Assembly website.

A.993 Fahy/S.1346 Parker – An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to decarbonization plans for state-owned fleet vehicles; and to repeal certain provisions of the executive law relating thereto chapter amendment

A.2888-A Barrett/No Same As – An act to amend the public authorities law and the executive law, in relation to authorizing the New York state energy research and development authority to develop a clean energy outreach and community planning program; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

A.2896 Alvarez/S.1345 Parker – An act to amend the energy law, the executive law and the public service law, in relation to critical energy infrastructure security and responsibility; and to amend a chapter of the laws of 2022 amending the energy law, the executive law and the public service law relating to critical energy infrastructure security and responsibility, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 5579-A and A. 3904-B, in relation to the effectiveness thereof chapter amendment

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Local Governments (THIELE)

12:00 Noon, Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Room 835 LOB

The committee meeting will be broadcast on the NYS Assembly website.

A.1260 Kelles/S.289 May – An act to amend the local finance law, in relation to providing a period of probable usefulness for broadband and related telecommunications infrastructure.

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State Senate Agendas (Bills of Interest)

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Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications

Senator Kevin S. Parker, Chair

11:30 AM, Monday, February 13, 2023

Room 123 CAP

Committee meetings can be viewed on the NYS Senate website.

S.489 Comrie/No Same As – An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring the New York state energy and research development authority to develop a comprehensive electric vehicle fast charging station implementation plan

S.2585-A Parker/No Same As – An act to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing a program for eligible zero emissions energy systems

• Referred to Finance

S.2988 Harckham/A.343 Burdick – An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring vine trimming for the maintenance of utility poles

S.3113 Mannion/A.794 Hunter – An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the zero-emission industrial trucks grant program

S.4134 Parker/A.279 Carroll – An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to implementing the “New York State Build Public Renewables Act”

• Referred to Rules

S.4304 Parker/No Same As – An act to amend the public service law and the public authorities law, in relation to credit for electricity generated by a customer-generator subject to net energy metering

S.4305 Parker/A.4098 Cunningham – An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring cellular telephone companies and third- party service providers to provide plans to the public service commission to make all cell towers one hundred percent renewable energy powered by 2031

 

Bills Passed Last Week

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Passed Assembly:

A.925 Dinowitz/S.461 Sepulveda – Requires disclosure of possible conflicts; provides for the vacating of an arbitration award on the ground that the arbitrator was affiliated in any way with any party or has a financial interest directly or indirectly in any party or in the outcome of the arbitration.

A.1286 Pretlow/S.1317 Stewart-Cousins – Relates to minimizing disproportionate impacts of environmental facility siting on disadvantaged communities chapter amendment

 

Passed Senate:

S.1326 Ramos/A.999 Joyner – Relates to disclosure and advertisement of a job, promotion, or transfer opportunity that will physically be performed, at least in part, in the state of New York, including a job, promotion, or transfer opportunity that will physically be performed outside of New York but reports to a supervisor, office, or other work site in New York; defines “advertise” to mean to make available to a pool of potential applicants for internal or public viewing, including electronically, a written description of an employment opportunity; makes technical corrections. chapter amendment

 

Passed Both:

A.975 Buttenschon/S.2221 Martinez – Provides for the offense of unlawful dissemination of a personal image and a private right of action for such offense. chapter amendment

A.987 Sayegh/S.2225 Parker – Removes requirements that require any medical equipment or equipment necessary for an individual whose diagnosis is likely to be significantly triggered or significantly exacerbated by a continued loss of power that will adversely impact that individual’s health; removes such requirements from an emergency response plan. chapter amendment

S.838 Ryan/A.984 Magnarelli – Clarifies provisions related to a registration system for contractors and subcontractors engaged in public work and covered projects. chapter amendment

S.848 Gianaris/A.1284 Reyes – Requires an employer to recognize the establishment of a workplace safety committee within fifteen business days. chapter amendment

State Register

Public Service Commission

• CCA Program Modifications and Establishment of Further Process (Adopted)
• Phase 2 Utility Arrears Relief Program (Adopted)
• Petition Request (Adopted)
• Submetering of Electricity (Adopted)
• Development and Implementation of Telephone/cable Emergency Response Plans (Adopted)
• Submetering of Electricity (Adopted)
• Transfer of Street Lighting Facilities (Adopted)
• Commercial EV Charging Demand-base Rate Structure Alternatives (Adopted)
• Annual Demand-Side Management Proposals (Adopted)
• Waiver Request (Adopted)
• Water Service Agreement and Waivers (Adopted)
• Compensation of and Incentives for Distributed Energy Resources (Proposed)

In The News

The City: Workers Who Toil in Extreme Temperatures Would Get Relief Under State Bill.

Three issues may determine N.Y.’s clean energy future.

New York State is phasing out natural gas, but how?

State lawmaker proposes paper and packaging waste reduction measure for New York.

New York needs to make a smart energy future.

What Is Permitting Reform? Here’s a Primer on the Drive to Fast Track Energy Projects—Both Clean and Fossil Fuel.

Solar panels are the Midwest’s new cash crop.

Forbes: Five Powerhouse Climate Policies Can Rapidly Slash Emissions And Strengthen The Economy In Any State.

Technologies offer increasing array of long duration energy storage options.