Res. No. 1461

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.6134, legislation that would require the New York Public Service Commission to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids

By Council Members Espinal, Constantinides and Gentile

Whereas, Superstorm Sandy hit New York on October 29, 2012 and its impacts were unprecedented in the City’s history; and

Whereas, Superstorm Sandy resulted in the deaths of 44 New Yorkers, caused $19 billion in damages and lost economic activity and impacted the City’s infrastructure including its electricity generation and distribution system, which caused power outages to critical facilities including hospitals and nursing homes; and  

Whereas, Superstorm Sandy caused power outages across the City when electricity substations were flooded and overhead infrastructure, such as power lines and utility poles, were damaged or knocked down by strong winds and downed trees and tree branches; and

 Whereas, According to the Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency, at least 140 miles of overhead power lines, 900 transformers and 1,100 poles were damaged during Superstorm Sandy, and as a result, two-thirds of the City’s customers who were served by overhead infrastructure lost power at some point; and

Whereas, By the time Superstorm Sandy had passed, more than 800,000 electricity customers - representing over 2,000,000 New Yorkers - were without power for periods that ranged from four days to two weeks; and

Whereas, The New York City Panel on Climate Change projects that by the year 2050, in the City, extreme weather events are likely to worsen; heat waves are likely to increase in frequency, intensity, and duration; heavy downpours are likely to increase in frequency, intensity and duration; and coastal flooding is likely to increase in frequency, extent, and height; and

Whereas, A microgrid is a relatively small power network, consisting of electricity generation sources, electricity users and control equipment within a geographically defined area; and

Whereas, Microgrids are usually connected to a centralized electrical grid, but are able to disconnect from, and function independently of the centralized electrical grid; and

Whereas, Communities that have microgrids installed can reduce their vulnerability to power outages due to extreme weather events, as microgrids enable communities to use local sources of power, decreasing their reliance on distantly-located power generation sources and long-distance electricity transmission via overhead and underground power lines; and

Whereas, Microgrids enable communities to “island,” meaning they can function and utilize locally generated electricity regardless of whether the larger, centralized electric grid is fully functional; and

Whereas, State Assemblyman Marcos Crespo introduced a bill in the State Legislature, A.6134, which would require the New York Public Service Commission to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids in the State, including (a) whether microgrids should be established at hospitals, first responder headquarters, such as police and fire stations, emergency shelters, schools, water filtration plants, sewage treatment plants and other locations in the State; (b) the geographic areas in the State where the establishment of microgrids should be a priority, based upon severe storm damage during the two years prior to the effective date of this act; and (c) funding mechanisms that should be considered in order to pay for the establishment of microgrids; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.6134, legislation that would require the New York Public Service Commission to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids.

BTM

LS 10008

3/9/2017 4:52 pm