IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - May/June 2016 - 20

Key Proceedings in REV
Clean Energy Standard-Large Scale Renewables

expected to attract and leverage third-party capital (as

(Case 15-E-0302)

much as US$29 billion over the next ten years) to support

The 2015 New York State Energy Plan established a goal of ob-

the governor's aggressive CES.

taining 50% of all electricity used in the state from renewable

Administered by the New York State Energy Research

energy resources by 2030 (the 50 by 30 goal). In December 2015,

and Development Authority, the Clean Energy Fund will ad-

Governor Andrew Cuomo directed the Department of Public

vance solar, wind, energy efficiency, and other clean tech

Service (DPS) to develop a clean energy standard (CES) that con-

industries to spur economic development and reduce harm-

verts the State Energy Plan target to an enforceable mandate.

ful emissions, building on the progress New York is already

While various elements of the REV strategy will support
the state's progress, including overhauled utility regulations

will operate four major portfolios.

and the US$5 billion Clean Energy Fund (more below), the

*	 Market Development (US$2.7 billion): The New York State

CES will serve as a foundation to ensure the achievement of

Energy Research and Development Authority will under-

New York's ambitious goals. In addition, the governor direct-

take a variety of activities to stimulate consumer demand

ed the DPS to develop new financial mechanisms for licensed,

for clean energy alternatives, energy efficiency while help-

but financially distressed, upstate nuclear power plants so as

ing to build clean energy supply chains to meet that grow-

to prevent backsliding in our greenhouse gas emissions re-

ing customer demand. At least US$234.5 million must be

ductions. This interim solution will help during the state's

invested in initiatives that benefit low-to-moderate-in-

transition to greater levels of renewable resources.

come New Yorkers during the first three years of the fund.

After consulting best practices of renewable standard pro-

*	 NY-Sun (US$961 million): The fund finalizes the funding

grams across the country, with an emphasis on neighboring

and confirms the long-term commitment for NY-Sun and

states that will have a strong effect on New York markets for re-

for the growing solar electric market and industry in New

newable resources, the staff of the DPS recently issued a white

York state by supporting rapid and continued cost reduc-

paper that proposes regulatory and other actions necessary to

tion. This will continue to make solar energy more afford-

the CES mandate of "50 by 30."

able and accessible for residential and commercial solar

This white paper addresses four principal CES policy
objectives:
1) Increase renewable electricity supply to achieve the
50 by 30 goal.
2) Support construction of new renewable generation in
New York state.

customers and will drive the growth of the solar industry
in New York, which currently employs more than 7,000
people across 538 solar companies in the state.
*	 NY Green Bank (US$782 million): To leverage private
sector investment, expand the availability of capital, and
increase confidence in lending for clean energy projects,

3) Prevent premature closure of upstate nuclear facilities.

the fund will complete the capitalization of the innova-

4) Promote the progress of REV market objectives.

tive NY Green Bank. The fund will increase NY Green

Following a public participation process, the commission

Bank's total investment to US$1 billion and will leverage

is expected to take up the clean energy standard in June.

an estimated US$8 billion in private investment.

Written comments on the staff white paper may be submit-

*	 Innovation and Research (US$717 million): As New York

ted to the Public Service Commission by 14 March and reply

State moves to a cleaner, more efficient, and more widely

comments by 28 March with e-filing through the DPS docu-

distributed energy system, the Clean Energy Fund will

ment and matter management system at www.dps.ny.gov/e-

help spur innovations through research and technology

file/registration.html; by e-mail to the commission secretary

development that will drive clean-tech business growth

at secretary@dps.ny.gov; and hand delivery to the Hon.

and job creation while providing more energy choices to

Kathleen H. Burgess, secretary, Three Empire Plaza, Albany,

residential and business customers.

New York 12223-1350.

20

making in developing a robust clean-tech sector. The fund

Value of D-Net Metering (Cases 14-M-0101, 15-E-0407)

Clean Energy Fund (14-M-0094)

One of the goals of REV is to reduce the need for (and great-

The commission recently approved a ten-year, US$5 billion

er cost of) traditional energy infrastructure by integrating

Clean Energy Fund to accelerate the growth of New York's

DERs into the planning and operation of the state's electric

clean energy economy, address climate change, strengthen

distribution systems. To prevent any potential disruption in

resiliency in the face of extreme weather, and lower ener-

the growth of renewable energy in New York, particularly

gy bills for New Yorkers starting this year. The fund is also

with the "interconnection" of new solar projects, the Public

ieee power & energy magazine

may/june 2016
http://www.dps.ny.gov/e
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - May/June 2016
