Shared Renewables Program: Clean Energy for All

Shared Renewables Program Provides New Opportunities for New York Residents and Businesses to Access Clean and Affordable Energy

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the approval of a bold new community initiative called the Shared Renewables Program. This groundbreaking initiative is enabling millions of New Yorkers to access clean and affordable energy for the first time. It is a crucial step towards a more sustainable future. Proposed in Governor Cuomo’s 2015 State of Opportunity Agenda, this program provides invaluable opportunities not only for individuals but also for communities as a whole.

This is especially beneficial for renters, homeowners, low-income residents, schools, and businesses. They join together in a concerted effort, aligning well with the goals of sharing renewable energy in this program. By collaborating, they can set up shared renewable energy projects, leading to significant cost savings. This also results in reduced reliance on fossil fuels. Moreover, this initiative fosters a sense of unity and purpose within communities. It results in healthier, more vibrant, and stronger neighborhoods that are capable of embracing the challenges of climate change. Additionally, it promotes energy independence for all New Yorkers.

Shared Renewable Initiative

This Shared Renewables initiative will help people and communities across the state save money on local clean energy projects, creating not just immediate financial relief but also long-term investments in our environment and future. This was said by Governor Cuomo, who emphasized the significant impact of such programs.

“This program is about protecting the environment and ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of their zip code or income, have the opportunity to access clean and affordable power. By investing in renewable energy sources, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also creating sustainable jobs that invigorate the local economy.

Furthermore, this multifaceted initiative aims to empower residents, enabling them to participate actively in the transition towards greener energy solutions that can enhance their quality of life. It encourages community engagement and collaboration, forming networks of individuals committed to a common goal of sustainability. These networks can lead to innovative ideas and practices that further amplify the benefits of clean energy.

In addition, the Shared Renewables initiative will provide essential resources and education to help individuals and businesses understand the benefits of clean energy, facilitating a statewide movement toward a more resilient infrastructure that can withstand future challenges. This movement is expected to ripple across the state, fostering a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility among citizens, local governments, and businesses alike. Together, we will build a cleaner and greener New York, fostering a brighter future for generations to come as we work hand in hand in championing environmental justice and equity for all, ensuring that the transition to renewable energy is inclusive and beneficial for every community.”

Collective Renewable Resources

Renewable resources are already providing massive economic and environmental benefits across the state, with installed solar capacity having grown 300% between 2011 and 2014. This growth not only signifies an upward trend in clean energy adoption but also highlights the job creation opportunities within the renewable sector, contributing positively to local economies. Yet, many New Yorkers are still unable to participate in this renewable energy revolution because they rent their home, live in an apartment building, or own properties unsuitable for installing solar panels or other clean energy technologies. This exclusion creates a disparity in access to renewable energy benefits, leaving a significant portion of the population without the ability to contribute to or reap the rewards of sustainable energy practices. Efforts must be made to develop innovative solutions that can accommodate renters and those in multi-unit dwellings, ensuring that everyone can harness the power of renewable resources for a greener future.

Shared Renewables Program

“Democratizing the production of power allows individuals and communities to take control of their energy future and realize the economic, social, and environmental benefits of solar and other renewable resources,” said Richard Kauffman, Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York. “As a direct result of Governor Cuomo’s leadership and the Reforming the Energy Vision initiative, New York State is once again at the forefront of progressive energy policy by empowering millions of our residents, schools, and businesses to choose renewable power for the first time.

Governor Cuomo’s REV Initiative – Shared Renewables Program

Governor Cuomo’s REV initiative takes a proactive approach to meet the challenges facing today’s power sector by building a regulatory framework to modernize the utility industry to create greater value for customers and support new investment in cl
ean energy.

Public Service Commission Chair Audrey Zibelman said, “Under Governor Cuomo’s REV initiative, Shared Renewables expands consumer access to reliable, low-cost electricity generated from renewable energy facilities. Shared Renewables places customers who do not own homes on an equal footing with traditional single-home customers and creates opportunities for low- and moderate-income families who don’t have access to electricity generated from renewable resources.”

Phase One

During the first phase of Shared Renewables from October 19, 2015 through April 30, 2016, projects will be limited to those that advance one of two specific REV goals: siting distributed generation in areas where it can provide the greatest locational benefits to the larger power grid, or supporting economically distressed communities by ensuring at least 20 percent of the participants are low- and moderate-income customers.

Phase Two

Beginning May 1, 2016, a second phase will make shared renewable projects available throughout entire utility service territories, enabling a broader range of customers to participate in sustainable energy initiatives. This expansion aims to facilitate the integration of clean energy sources into everyday life, allowing residential and commercial users to benefit from renewable energy generation without the need for installing their own systems. By offering more accessible options for engagement in renewable projects, this initiative is poised to significantly enhance community participation in green energy solutions and support the transition towards a more sustainable future.

In addition, other REV principles can be applied, such as aligning utility incentives to fully support Shared Renewables projects by allowing shared savings or revenues from new business models that facilitate projects at lower costs. In addition to these changes, the Public Service Commission will immediately commence a collaborative to determine how to continue the encouragement of low-income customer participation in community distributed generation during the second phase.

Customers interested in the Shared Renewables initiative can participate in a number of ways. For instance, the residents of a condominium may want to join together for a shared solar project. They would need to find a “sponsor” who will be responsible for organizing the project on behalf of the residents. A sponsor could be a developer or even the residents of the building banding together to form a legal entity such as a limited liability corporation, or LLC. To learn more about how you can participate in shared renewables as a customer, community, or project sponsor, please visit http://www.ny-sun.ny.gov/Community-Solar and sign up to receive assistance and resources to help you take advantage of local clean energy projects.

About Reforming the Energy Vision

Under Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), New York State is spurring clean energy innovation and attracting new investment to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV encompasses groundbreaking regulatory reform to integrate clean energy into the core of our power grid, redesigned programs and strategies to unlock private capital, and active leadership in deploying innovative energy solutions across the State’s own public facilities and operations. REV will enable a dynamic, clean energy economy operating at a scale that will stimulate opportunities for communities across the state to create jobs and drive local economic growth, while protecting our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

REV Initiatives

Successful initiatives already launched as part of REV include NY Sun, which aims to significantly increase the use of solar power across the state, NY Green Bank, designed to facilitate investments in clean energy technologies, NY Prize, which fosters innovative energy solutions through competitive funding, and K-Solar, a program that provides technical assistance for schools to transition to solar energy. Additionally, there is a strong commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities, ensuring that all residents have access to sustainable and cost-effective energy options, ultimately promoting equity and environmental justice throughout the region.

To learn more about REV, please visit http://www.ny.gov/REV4NY.

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The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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