N.Y. PSC Revises RPS Program, Allows Participation of Behind-the-Meter Generation

The New York PSC has adopted further revisions to its RPS program, including an expansion in the definition of qualified biomass, and a change in determining the economic development impact from some projects competing in the RPS solicitations.

A written was not available yesterday.

The Commission said that it has specifically authorized the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to conduct future solicitations for RPS Main Tier resources once a year at a minimum, after consultation with and approval from Staff of the Department of Public Service. Previously, a Commission order was required before NYSERDA could begin such a solicitation.

The Commission also said that it eliminated a provision from the solicitation process that had prevented NYSERDA from considering the economic development benefits of existing New York-based renewable projects not already part of the RPS program that were put into service after January 1, 2003. "Together, these actions enhance the ability of the solicitation process to respond in a timely manner to market opportunities and make it more likely that existing eligible renewable resources not already in the RPS program may be included in the future," the PSC said.

In addition, the Commission said that it will allow, "clean wood, separated from construction and demolition debris at approved material reclamation facilities," to be eligible for use as a "biomass" resource fuel in the RPS program.

The Commission further expanded its RPS rules to include "behind-the-meter" transactions in RPS, so long as the measurement and verification of the in-state energy consumption is performed in a manner that satisfies NYSERDA's reporting requirements.

The cases are 03-E-0188 (solicitation process) and 09-E-0843 and 10-E-0195 (expansion of qualified resources).