Requires battery energy storage system owners and operators to demonstrate compliance with workforce reliability standards as a condition of state financial assistance; extends prevailing wage requirements and whistleblower protections to operations and maintenance employees at covered battery energy storage systems; directs the public service commission to promulgate implementing regulations; and requires a periodic review of implementation.
Impact
The bill amends the public service law and labor law to extend prevailing wage requirements and whistleblower protections to operations and maintenance employees at covered battery energy storage systems. This initiative not only addresses the protection and stability of a skilled workforce but aims to minimize the risks associated with high turnover and inadequate training in the energy sector. By ensuring a stable employment environment for these employees, the bill seeks to promote safe and reliable operations across such critical infrastructure, ultimately supporting the state’s broader environmental and energy goals.
Summary
Assembly Bill A10917 aims to enhance labor protections for employees involved in the operations and maintenance of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in New York State. The legislation mandates that owners and operators of BESS demonstrate compliance with specific workforce reliability standards as a prerequisite for receiving state financial assistance. This is significant given the increasing reliance on battery storage for renewable energy integration in the state's grid, as outlined by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which targets a zero-emissions electricity grid by 2040.
Contention
The key points of contention surrounding A10917 involve the balance between labor rights and operational flexibility for businesses. Supporters argue that the bill's provisions are essential for ensuring worker safety and adherence to quality standards, which are paramount for reliable operations of BESS facilities. However, some industry stakeholders may perceive these labor mandates as an added regulatory burden that could complicate compliance and increase operational costs. The necessity of public hearings before the establishment of regulations, as mandated by the bill, is a step toward involving the industry and workers in the legislative process, yet may also elongate the regulatory timeline, prompting concerns about project execution and costs.
Same As
Requires battery energy storage system owners and operators to demonstrate compliance with workforce reliability standards as a condition of state financial assistance; extends prevailing wage requirements and whistleblower protections to operations and maintenance employees at covered battery energy storage systems; directs the public service commission to promulgate implementing regulations; and requires a periodic review of implementation.
Requires battery energy storage system owners and operators to demonstrate compliance with workforce reliability standards as a condition of state financial assistance; extends prevailing wage requirements and whistleblower protections to operations and maintenance employees at covered battery energy storage systems; directs the public service commission to promulgate implementing regulations; and requires a periodic review of implementation.
Authorizes ORES to issue siting permits for battery energy storage systems for use by data centers, regardless of the expected storage or transmission capacity of such battery energy storage systems, and whether or not such battery energy storage systems will be co-located with renewable energy systems; requires data centers to submit carbon reduction plans.
Requires notice to elected officials when there is a proposed battery energy storage system in such officials district; defines what qualifies as a battery energy storage system.
Requires community boards to provide public notice of any planned siting and construction of battery energy storage systems and to provide for annual inspections of such battery energy storage systems; defines "battery energy storage systems"; requires operators of such battery energy storage systems to submit to the requirements of community boards regarding notice and inspection requirements.
Directs the department of public service to promulgate rules, regulations and model policies regarding setback requirements for the siting of battery energy storage systems; requires minimum setback requirements for commercial energy storage systems, with a capacity of three megawatts or greater, of no less than seven hundred fifty feet from residential property and no less than three hundred feet from residential property located in a city with a population of one million or more inhabitants; requires public hearings prior to the approval of an application for a permit for such systems.
Provides that the future siting and construction of battery energy storage systems and related facilities, systems, infrastructure, and substations of any scale and possessing any storage capacity, and including, but not limited to, those deploying lithium-ion batteries, are prohibited on Long Island, in the counties of Suffolk and Nassau.
Requires that the electric distribution company and the commission promulgate tariffs to address interconnection of energy storage systems and to provide compensation for at least 100 mega watts of energy storage systems sited in the state.