Advocates utility development of community-scale solar facilities

Comments submitted by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation to the New York State Public Service Commission regarding proposed changes to the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program, New York’s primary policy to promote development of new renewable energy resources, are available for viewing on Central Hudson’s Web site.

The RPS program was established in 2004 with the goal of increasing the percentage of electricity used and generated in New York from approximately 19 percent to 25 percent by 2013. Funding for the program, which is administered by the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, is made through a surcharge on utility bills.

This year, at the mid-term of the RPS program, the New York State Public Service Commission has initiated a comprehensive review, and issued a request for comments on proposed changes.

Central Hudson’s comments call for a new tier within the RPS program that includes development of renewable energy resources by utilities in New York, which under deregulation are prohibited from owning central electric generating facilities. The proposed Utility-Sited Solar Tier would allow utilities to build and operate community-scale solar generation projects, which would be more cost effective than privately sited facilities, can be built by utilities at suitable and strategic locations along the electric distribution and transmission system, and which would support job stability, economic development and the diversity of clean energy in New York.

To view the comments, visit www.CentralHudson.com and click on the RPS icon on the left side of the home page. To view the SAPA Notice on modifications to the Renewable Portfolio Standard  (Case 03-E-0188) and the RPS Mid-Course report, visit the New York State Public Service Commission’s Web site at www.dps.state.ny.us.