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Senate approves bill requiring NYSERDA criteria and PSC review for advanced transmission technology plans
Summary
A bill directing NYSERDA to develop criteria and asking utilities (via PSC review) to study and optionally implement advanced transmission technologies passed after floor debate over costs and whether implementation would shift costs to ratepayers.
The Senate passed Calendar 454 (sponsored by Senator May) on April 20, a measure that requires NYSERDA to develop criteria for advanced transmission technologies and directs the Public Service Commission to review implementation plans submitted by utilities. Sponsor arguments emphasized potential grid efficiency gains and estimated the cost of the NYSERDA study at about $250,000 with projected savings for ratepayers in the millions.
Senator May told the chamber that the bill expands earlier language to include a broader array of advanced transmission technologies and that the NYSERDA study would create criteria for utility rate‑case implementation plans. She said the study cost is "estimated about 250,000 dollars but... the returns are in the millions," and described battery storage as one option utilities might include to reduce peak‑energy costs.
Opponents expressed concerns that the measure duplicates existing processes, could impose additional costs on ratepayers, and that voluntary implementation plans might nevertheless be directed into deployment by the PSC if found consistent with the public interest. Senators also debated whether the bill effectively contemplates planning for data center growth and whether that could lead to higher rates in communities asked to pay for grid preparedness.
The Senate voted to pass the bill (Ayes 40, Nays 18). The statute requires NYSERDA to produce criteria and the PSC to review plans; the timeline for the study and any PSC actions were discussed on the floor but will be formalized in the implementing rulemaking and agency processes.
What to watch NYSERDA's study criteria and the PSC's review processes will determine whether utilities adopt specific technologies and how costs are allocated in future rate cases. Ratepayer advocates and consumer groups are likely to monitor PSC proceedings closely.
