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State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, is calling for a state study on snow emergencies.
Borrello recently introduced S.9892 in the state Senate to establish a 15-member commission to evaluate the impact of grid electrification on the safety and reliability of heating systems in snowstorms that cause power outages, and to develop strategies and best practices to maximize grid reliability and resiliency during extreme winter weather events. Among its members would be at least one member appointed by the three largest utility companies servicing Western New York.
Borrello wants the Public Service Commission to use the study, if approved, to determine if Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act targets and timetables should be adjusted in order to make sure the power grid can handle weather emergencies like the 2022 blizzard that resulted in the death of 47 people. .
"In December of 2022, Western New York experienced a devastating blizzard that knocked out electricity and left residents in their homes without heat," Borrello said in his legislative justification. "The tragedy resulted in the loss of life of 47 New Yorkers. As we work to modernize our grid, ensuring the safety of New Yorkers is paramount so that we may prevent such devastation in the future."
Earlier this year, the state Legislature approved legislation a Grid Modernization Commission to conduct a study of research, development, and demonstration of electric grid modernization that addresses the principal challenges identified in the New York Independent System Operator's 2021-2040 System & Resource Outlook and identify tools, resources, and deployment models that may improve the grid's performance.
That report stated that by 2040 the state will have to add between 111 gigawatts and 124 gigawatts of generating capacity to meet the state Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act's mandate to have a fully renewable electric grid. While calling for unprecedented levels of investment, the report does not put a price tag on the upgrades needed.
A subsequent report by the New York Independent System Operator released late last year showed growing risks to electric system reliability, including: projected increases in peak demand due to electrification of the transportation and building sectors; additional generator deactivations; delayed implementation of planned infrastructure projects; and extreme weather. The reliability plan is released every two years and is the ISO's plan to maintain a reliable bulk electric grid based on expected changes and conditions over a 10-year planning period. The plan also includes the addition of several large commercial projects in upstate New York that are in development and are projected to significantly increase energy use over 10 years. State legislation enacted in 2022 will require the phase-out of the New York Power Authority's small natural gas plants located in New York City by Dec. 31, 2030.
If demand on the grid grows at a rate greater than the buildout of new generation and transmission, reliability deficiencies could arise within the next 10-year planning period. Potential risks and resource needs identified by the ISO may be resolved by new capacity resources coming into service, construction of additional transmission facilities, increased energy efficiency, integration of distributed energy resources and/or growth in demand response participation.
The commission would also make recommendations on grants to carry out eligible projects related to the modernization of the electric grid in collaboration with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Future draft energy plans would require the state Energy Planning Board to consult with the Grid Modernization Commission and its grid modernization report.
The state Independent System Operator has made clear that the state power grid will soon be a winter-peaking system, primarily driven by electrification of space heating and transportation. The switch to a winter peak introduces new reliability concerns related to fuel security that the NYISO is working to address through changes to planning and market rules.
"With increasing winter peak loads and consideration of limitations on the availability of non-firm gas, there may not be sufficient generation to serve forecasted demand for expected weather while maintaining required operating reserves and agreed upon power interchanges with neighboring systems. The NYISO will evaluate in the 2024 RNA if this would be an actionable reliability need," the Power Trends report released in late June states.