Action Follows Recent NYISO Warning Of Potential Downstate Energy Shortfalls As Early As Next Year

Utility Ordered To Propose Non-Emitting Solutions Plan That Prioritizes Cost-Effectiveness And Ease of Deployment

Commission Encourages Long Island Power Authority to Undertake Similar Planning Exercise     

ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today opened a proceeding and directed Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) to develop a Reliability Contingency Plan to address reliability needs identified in New York City. The order builds on the continuing work of the Commission to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our electric system while responsibly developing a modern transmission and distribution system to meet the evolving needs of the state.

“Ensuring the safety and reliability of our electric grid is a top priority for the Commission,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “Given that fact, it is critically important that we turn over every stone to fully understand and plan for any reliability needs in our largest metropolitan area.”

The Commission’s action is based on a review of recent short-term system reliability projections published by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which identified reliability needs arising as early as next year in New York City and Long Island, and the NYISO's longer-term Comprehensive Reliability Plan (2025-2034), which points to system adequacy issues due to the age of New York's generation fleet, the rapid growth of new large loads, and challenges in developing new dispatchable resources. In addition, Con Edison's latest Local Transmission Plan identifies a reliability need starting in 2030 and increasing into the decade.

To address these concerns, the Commission directed Con Edison to submit a filing in 30 days that identifies the specific reliability needs along with the underlying assumptions and methodologies used to determine these needs. At the same time, Con Edison is required to issue a Request for Information (RFI) seeking a broad array of potential non-emitting solutions and host a Technical Conference on the need determination and the RFI.

Informed by the results of the RFI, Con Edison is directed to propose a plan containing its recommended non-emitting solutions, prioritizing cost-effectiveness and ease of deployment, and minimizing impacts to disadvantaged communities. The plan must specify the timelines for proposed solutions to be online and describe major milestones for measuring progress. It should also identify and assess generation, transmission, and other resources under development that could contribute to meeting reliability needs.

Once filed, the Reliability Contingency Plan will be made available for public review and comment. The Commission will address the solutions proposed in the Reliability Contingency Plan following the submission of public comments.

Additionally, given similar reliability needs identified on Long Island by the NYISO, the Commission encouraged the Long Island Power Authority to conduct a similar planning exercise and develop a Long Island contingency plan that reflects the principles and technical considerations in the order.

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 25-E-0764 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.