Rory M. Christian

The Commission instituted a proceeding regarding electric vehicle supply equipment and infrastructure to support the state's energy goals and promote utility involvement. It also approved a tariff filing by Consolidated Edison to include electric vehicle quick charging stations in its business incentive rate program. Additionally, the Commission approved amendments to the standardized interconnection requirements for small distributed generators to integrate energy storage and facilitate larger projects. The meeting concluded with formal resolutions honoring two retiring staff members for their long-term service.

The Commission conducted a monthly meeting covering several key topics. Informational reports were presented regarding 2017 pipeline safety performance, electric safety standards, electric reliability performance, and energy utility service quality. The meeting also included a discussion on the Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation rate plan, focusing on multi-year rate structures, low-income programs, non-pipes alternatives, training facilities, and REV demonstration projects.

The commission session focused on the establishment of temporary rates for New York State Electric and Gas Corporation and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation. The discussion highlighted the balance between maintaining utility infrastructure safety and reliability while addressing ratepayer concerns over rising utility costs and affordability. The Commission approved these temporary rates as a necessary procedural step to allow for sufficient time to complete a thorough review and reach a just and reasonable final rate determination, given the complexity and scale of the four concurrent rate cases.

The meeting focused on reviewing the stage six report, which includes capacity expansion modeling, project selection, and final recommendations. Discussions covered the progressive planning process, key findings from modeling results, generation buildout requirements, and the necessity for local transmission projects. The council also explored the distinction between local and bulk transmission solutions, the impact of generation siting on headroom, and the portfolio of proposed projects.

The Commission session focused on the establishment of temporary rates for the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation and the Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation. Discussions covered the legal and regulatory mechanics of setting temporary utility rates, the necessity of maintaining company solvency for critical infrastructure projects, and balancing these financial needs with public affordability concerns. The Commission concluded that temporary rates are an appropriate regulatory tool to provide additional time for thorough consideration of final rate determinations, ensuring the public interest is protected through reconciliation mechanisms.