PSC-40-08-00007-P Modification of the RPS Tier Allocations, Annual Targets, Schedule of Collections and Administration Entity

10/1/08 N.Y. St. Reg. PSC-40-08-00007-P

NEW YORK STATE REGISTER

VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 40

October 01, 2008

RULE MAKING ACTIVITIES

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

PROPOSED RULE MAKING

NO HEARING(S) SCHEDULED

 

I.D No. PSC-40-08-00007-P

Modification of the RPS Tier Allocations, Annual Targets, Schedule of Collections and Administration Entity

PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Procedure Act, NOTICE is hereby given of the following proposed rule:

Proposed Action:

The Commission is considering whether to adopt, modify, or reject, in whole or in part, potential modifications to the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program to increase the target level of photovoltaics & other on-peak resources in high-cost areas.

Statutory authority:

Public Service Law, sections 4(1), 5(2), 66(1) and (2)

Subject:

Modification of the RPS tier allocations, annual targets, schedule of collections and administration entity.

Purpose:

To consider increased on-peak renewable resources in high-cost areas and potential utility administration of such resources.

Substance of proposed rule:

The Commission is considering whether to adopt, modify, or reject, in whole or in part, potential modifications to the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program to increase the target level of photovoltaics & other on-peak resources in high-cost areas. The nature of siting opportunities for most of the renewable resources encouraged to date in the RPS program is that they have been located primarily in upstate New York outside of the higher-cost load pocket areas of the New York City metropolitan area. The Commission is considering whether the RPS tier allocations should be modified, or a new tier should be created, to increase the target level of photovoltaics & other on-peak resources in high-cost areas. The Commission is also considering whether the annual targets and schedule of collections should be modified to account for such changes to the RPS program. The RPS program is currently administered on a statewide basis by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The Commission is considering whether a targeted program to increase the level of photovoltaics & other on-peak renewable resources in the higher-cost load pocket areas in the New York City metropolitan area, including the targeting of particular network locations in need of load relief, would be better administered directly by the local electric utility. In addition, the Commission is considering whether the higher acquisition cost of photovoltaics & other on-peak renewable resources might be better financed directly by the utility as a ratebase addition or in some other manner.

Text of proposed rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained by filing a Document Request Form (F-96) located on our website http://www.dps.state. ny.us/f96dir.htm

For questions, contact: Leann Ayer, Public Service Commission, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350, [phone], email: leann_ayer@dps. state.ny.us

Data, views or arguments may be submitted to:

Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, Public Service Commission, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350, [phone], email: [e-mail]

Public comment will be received until:

45 days after publication of this notice.

Regulatory Impact Statement, Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, Rural Area Flexibility Analysis and Job Impact Statement

Statements and analyses are not submitted with this notice because the proposed rule is within the definition contained in section 102(2)(a)(ii) of the State Administrative Procedure Act.

(03-E-0188SA18)