BILL NUMBER: S5834
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the energy law, in relation to explicitly permitting the
standard utility interconnection of sub-transmission lines for partic-
ular projects
 
PURPOSE:
This bill seeks to provide clarity that certain distributed energy
sources may interconnect to a sub-transmission line in the same way they
currently interconnect to other such lines.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the energy law by adding a section 21-107, to ensure
all forms of distributed generation under the state's Standardized
Interconnection Requirements (SIR) are permitted to connect to the util-
ity distribution system at the sub-transmission level, provided they
meet all state and federal requirements. The interconnection process
will follow the same procedures as those at the transmission level.
Section 2: Sets Effective Date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State is a leader in the fight against climate change and has
worked toward crafting state policies that would allow for the transi-
tion to 10096 renewable power by the year 2050. Article 3 of the State
Energy Law, among other documents, clearly states these goals, partic-
ularly considering the adoption of the Climate Leadership and Community
Protection Act(CLCPA).
It is in the best interest of the State of New York to adopt policies
that reasonably advance the goals outlined in the CLCPA and create
uniformity in their application across all utility service territories.
This legislation addresses one small obstacle in the interconnection
process for distributed renewable generation. Some state utilities allow
a renewable developer to interconnect at the sub-transmission level, and
others do not. This incongruence causes delays and additional costs in
the system that can not afford them, given our 2050 goals. This legis-
lation is needed to make clear that distributed generation must be
allowed to interconnect at the sub-transmission levels in all areas of
the State of New York. This will encourage faster development and
deployment and assist the state in further reducing emissions and its
dependence on fossil fuels.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2023: S6881, Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
2024: S6881, Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
Assembly
2023: A7611, Referred to Energy
2024: A7611, Referred to Energy
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately