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For Immediate Release: 08/02/17
John B. Rhodes, Chair
Contact: James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
17058/ 16-E-0604
August 02, 2017
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PSC Moves to Reduce Municipal Street-Lighting Costs with Solar PowerNew York Utilities Directed to Expand Use of Solar Power for Street Lighting, Helping Protect the Environment |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved a money-saving plan that will allow municipalities to use remote solar farms to offset the cost of their street lights. Expanding clean energy and reducing electricity costs are key goals of REV — Reforming the Energy Vision — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s comprehensive strategy to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers and reduce emissions.
“Municipalities throughout the state have taken an active and commendable role in supporting REV and New York’s clean energy goals, including efforts by cities, towns and villages to develop renewable energy projects and install energy-efficient street lighting,” said Commission Chair John B. Rhodes. “This order could save taxpayers thousands of dollars each year by reducing the cost of street lighting and other electricity needs by cities, towns and villages.”
Today’s action was requested by the City of Beacon, Dutchess County, and its partners, Sunlight Beacon LLC and BQ Energy LLC. As part of the agreement, the city will be compensated for the value of solar electricity produced at a solar farm planned for the city’s closed landfill. The 2 MWs of electricity generated by the solar farm — enough for approximately 1,600 average homes — will be used to offset the cost of lighting the municipality’s streets and roads.
To further the development of this valuable initiative, the Commission’s order directs New York’s utilities to file plans so that other localities can follow Beacon’s environmentally friendly street-lighting efforts. In its decision, the Commission said municipalities should not be subjected to unnecessary barriers in supporting clean-energy objectives and meeting their energy needs and local energy and environmental interests. Until now, municipal street-lighting accounts were not eligible for solar-generated, net-metering credits.
Street lighting is often the most-expensive cost on a city’s overall electricity bill and thousands of dollars can be saved, according to municipal officials in Olean and other cities who urged the Commission to approve today’s order. As an example, the cost of street lighting in Beacon represented 40 percent of the municipality’s electricity costs.
In recent months, the Commission has focused efforts on making efficiency improvements to street-lighting in New York State. Last year, the Commission established procedures for the transfer of ownership of complete street lighting systems to local governments. With the change in ownership, municipalities take control of the light fixtures on their own streets and have the opportunity to install state-of-the-art, energy efficient lights and new technologies to lower costs to taxpayers and protect the environment.
Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 16-E-0604 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York’s economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and generating 50 percent of the state’s electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven nearly 800 percent growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 105,000 low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York State reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor’s $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at @Rev4NY.
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