Net Metering Law
Earlier this year, New York governor David Patterson enlarged the law on what is known as “net metering”, or the selling of homemade electricity back to the grid. New York was the first state that allowed this practice back in 1997, there were very few entities who were allowed to do so. Individuals who provide their own electricity through a number of means such as windmills and solar panels, had the capabilities to sell their excess power back to the grid, but it was illegal. Now through the state’s Renewable Energy Task Force, any customer in the state is now allowed to net meter.
The Network for New Energy Choices (NNEC) has issued its 2008 report cards grading state policies that allow farmers, homeowners, and small business owners who generate renewable energy to connect to the grid and receive credit for the electricity they produce, provisions known as net metering. With net metering, when electric customers with wind or solar systems produce more energy than they use, their electric meters spin backward, providing them with a net gain.
“This year’s Freeing the Grid report has a number of bright spots that are particularly welcome given the declining economy, Americans’ desire for energy independence, and widespread concern about climate change,” said NNEC’s James Rose, a principal author of the report. “Chief among these is New York, singled out for praise in the report’s ‘Best Practices’ section for two new laws that vastly expand the ability of New Yorkers to net meter.”
Other states to take iniative on net metering laws along with New York include Arkansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont.
