The State Senate has approved legislation (S.8481) that will allow an expanded number of customers to take part in net metering for renewable electric generating systems. Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee and Senator Owen Johnson, sponsor three pieces of legislation that will expand current net metering laws for solar, wind and farm waste technologies.

Net metering allows a utility customer with an on-site electric generating system to send excess power that they generate back to the utility grid, receiving a credit on future electric bills. If after one year there is a positive balance, the corporation will pay residential and agricultural customer-generators the balance.

"Energy costs are going up and up and consumers need better options to address escalating prices. This is an opportunity to promote renewable technologies that are going to help us diversify our energy portfolio and move us away from dependence on fossil fuels. The passage of these bills is good news for the environment and just as important, for those individuals, farms and businesses looking for an alternative approach to lowering their energy bills," Senator Maziarz said.

Net metering is currently allowed for residential and farm service generators. The new legislation would expand net metering for these customers and allow for commercial customers to net meter with wind and solar electric generating equipment located and used on their property. Commercial customers would be allowed to net meter using solar and wind technologies up to 2MW or the customers’ historic peak load, which ever is less. Net metering for farmers utilizing wind and farm waste technologies is increased to 500 kw.

"New York’s current restrictive net metering law has been an impediment to the widespread use of renewable energy and that’s unfortunate on many levels," said Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon). "Taken together, the legislation we passed will promote greater use of solar, wind and farm waste energy and, in doing so, move us further toward our goal of increasing the proportion of renewable electricity consumers use to 25 percent by the year 2013. Greater use of these technologies reduces stress on New York’s electric grid and also has a positive impact on our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I commend Senator George Maziarz for all his hard work on seeing net metering come to fruition."

"I applaud Senator Maziarz and Senator Johnson for providing leadership on this critically important issue," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said. "Net metering can advance many sources of alternative energy in New York State, promote economic development and help us save energy."

"Net metering is a keystone energy policy that is essential to a vibrant wind energy market here in New York State," said Kevin Schulte, Vice President of Business Development for Sustainable Energy Developments, Inc. (SED), located in Ontario, NY. "This policy has the potential to boost the economic benefits of onsite wind power by 30 percent or more for schools, industry, farms, government facilities and more. With its strong net metering law, my company has been building projects all over Massachusetts and the cost to travel to our job sites has significantly hurt the value of our services. Without this law, moving my business out of New York may have become unavoidable. I believe that net metering will keep SED in New York State for a long time to come."

"This is a tremendous victory for the future of renewable energy in New York State," said Carol E. Murphy, Executive Director of Alliance for Clean Energy New York. "Senators Maziarz and Johnson deserve enormous credit for their leadership and persistence  pushing forward this expansion of net metering. For too long, New York has lagged behind as other states have passed us with important programs like commercial net metering, drawing much-needed investment away from New York. Now, New York has the opportunity to catch up and for all customers to hedge against rising energy costs."

"Energy prices are ever increasing and farm operations are suffering the impact on their bottom lines across New York State. This needed expansion of net metering laws will provide a great incentive for farmers to invest in renewable energy on their farms, generate their own power and sell the excess green energy back to the grid for others to use. We appreciate the leadership of Senator Maziarz and Senator Johnson in forging this critical agreement," said John W. Lincoln, President, New York Farm Bureau.

"In just a few short months, as the new chair of the Senate Energy Committee, Sen. Maziarz’s leadership has proven instrumental in advancing legislation to bring wind and solar power to the mainstream by expanding net metering for commercial, non profit, and municipal ratepayers," said Dereth Glance, Executive Program Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "In addition to the economic development, job creation, and increased energy independence, generating clean, renewable energy on-site improves air and water quality while fighting global climate change--locally."

The bill was sent to the Assembly.

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