The New York State Public Service Commission recently approved a request by the New York Power Authority to establish the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help program to provide electric bill credits for low-income households in disadvantaged communities across the state.
The new program stems from NYPA’s expanded authority to develop, own and operate renewable energy generating projects -- either alone or in collaboration with other entities -- granted in last year’s State Budget.
“REACH will directly benefit low-income electric ratepayers in disadvantaged communities using renewable generation from distributed energy sources in their communities or from large-scale renewable projects located throughout the state’s electric power grid,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll. “The bill credits will be funded from a portion of revenues from new renewable energy generation projects developed by NYPA and designated for REACH.”
The PSC on Oct. 16 established a regulatory framework to allow electric utilities to receive funds from the Power Authority to credit the electric bills of low-income ratepayers in disadvantaged communities.
NYPA had requested that the PSC adopt the REACH program utilizing the same structure as the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) and as the Statewide Solar for All program, which New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in this year’s State of the State and approved by the PSC earlier this year.
The use of existing regulatory structures will lower costs for program administration and ultimately allow for more funds to be received by low-income ratepayers.
To align with the implementation of the Statewide Solar for All program, the PSC directed that the electric utilities initially enroll EAP eligible low-income customers within disadvantaged communities, and as more resources come online, expand enrollment to all low-income and moderate-income customers, regardless of location to align with the implementation of the Statewide Solar for All program.
NYPA will implement REACH with New York Department of Public Service Staff and the utilities according to the order, including arrangements to fund REACH bill credits as project revenues become available.
Once the REACH framework is established, NYPA plans to confer with the Long Island Power Authority, a public power utility, to implement REACH within LIPA’s service territory.
