 |
|
|
For Immediate Release: 7/17/2025 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080 25085/15-E-0082
July 17, 2025
|
|
PSC Improves Utility Billing and Crediting Processes for Community Distributed Generation |
|
Decision Strengthens Customer Protections and Expands Access to Affordable, Clean Energy
ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved changes to help protect customers to Community Distributed Generation (CDG) billing and crediting performance metrics and Negative Revenue Adjustments or NRAs. Specifically, the Commission adopted two performance metrics with associated NRAs or utility financial penalties related to the timeliness and responsiveness associated with the billing and crediting of CDG programs. Further, the Commission imposed a $10 bill credit for each time a utility fails to provide a CDG subscriber's bill within 75 days from the end of the CDG host billing period.
“Community Distributed Generation expands consumer access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity generated from renewable energy facilities,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “This creative program creates opportunities for low- and moderate-income families and puts customers who do not own homes on an equal footing with traditional single-home customers by providing increased access to electricity generated from renewable resources and lower monthly bills. Getting the utility billing and crediting processes performing accurately and timely for these programs is of the utmost importance to ensure their success.”
The benefits of CDG development can only be realized if the billing and crediting of CDG members is
performed accurately and in a timely manner.
On July 17, 2015, the Commission authorized CDG in New York State, enabling customers for whom
rooftop solar was not a viable option to directly participate in and enjoy the benefits of renewable
energy programs. As part of the CDG program, CDG sponsors can develop an eligible generation
project, usually a solar photovoltaic system, connected to a utility distribution network, and enroll
customers served by that utility, as members.
Members then receive credits on their utility bills for the energy the CDG project injects into the utility’s distribution system. In return, members pay the CDG sponsor a monthly subscription fee, which may be fixed or variable, but that is generally designed to be some amount less than the value of the credits the customer receives. This process required that the customer receive two separate monthly bills, one from the utility for delivery service including the bill credits and another from the CDG sponsor for the subscription fee. In 2019, the Commission adopted “Net Crediting” which consolidates CDG billing to allow for customers to receive one bill from the utility which includes the CDG subscription fee and the CDG bill credits for the billing cycle.
New York State's Climate Agenda
New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.
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 15-E-0082 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.
|
|
|
###
|