New York's Transformational Energy Proposal

My colleague and former Assemblyman Jerry Kremer, who served as chairman of the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee, is shining a spotlight on a major electricity development in the Empire State.

Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is a New York State initiative that would create a drastically different electric system and fundamentally change how power is generated and distributed. New York needs to have a clean and diverse energy portfolio and REV aims to help achieve that goal.

How will it work? Mr. Kremer notes utilities would direct the distribution of electricity produced by thousands of smaller entities throughout the state, so the state relies on many different energy generators.

How will the energy environment change? Mr. Kremer notes REV incorporates key areas like regulatory reform, load/peak demand management, consumer management of energy use, and development of solar and other distributed energy sources.

REV will help shift the energy supply from large, distant suppliers to smaller, localized micro grids, each within the communities they serve. These microgrids already have a head-start with the Cuomo Administration recently awarding $100,000 grants to 83 communities to aid with the startup of microgrids for improved energy reliability in local communities throughout the State of New York.

REV also wants to help make energy cleaner and more affordable by encouraging New Yorkers to use technology like solar panels, and selling any excess power to grids to be available for all to use.

Mr. Kremer also raises a number of concerns about REV.

With the new and innovative possibilities that REV can offer, it must be built on a foundation that is beneficial to ratepayers. A key part of REV should be making sure that ratepayers have lower electricity bills. That can only happen if there is an open and competitive market, where the playing field is level for everyone.

Senator John DeFrancisco has introduced legislation that has already passed the Senate that would require fiscal analysis of REV proposals. This legislation, Mr. Kremer points out, would be very positive as it would increase transparency and provide more accountability for the steps that may be taken under REV.

REV is a monumental proposal, but it should only more forward if it can create a more affordable, accountable, and clean energy environment.

For more information on REV, please click here to see an issue brief that Mr. Kremer has prepared.

About the Author: Rob DiFrancesco is the director of the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA), a diverse organization of more than 150 business, labor, and community groups. Entergy, the owner of Indian Point, is a member. Founded in 2003, New York AREA’s mission is to ensure that New York has an ample and reliable electricity supply, and economic prosperity for years to come. For more information visit www.area-alliance.org