S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         2233
                              2015-2016 Regular Sessions
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                   January 22, 2015
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  Sen.  FUNKE  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
         printed to be committed to the Committee on  Energy  and  Telecommuni-
         cations
       AN  ACT  to  amend the public service law, in relation to creating a New
         York independent system operator
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1.  The public service law is amended by adding a new article
    2  12 to read as follows:
    3                                  ARTICLE 12
    4            PROVISIONS RELATING TO AN INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR
    5  SECTION 250. LEGISLATIVE STATEMENT.
    6          251. INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR.
    7          252. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
    8    S 250. LEGISLATIVE STATEMENT. THE NEW  YORK  STATE  GOVERNMENT  ESTAB-
    9  LISHED  THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IN NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVEN TO REGU-
   10  LATE THE UTILITY INDUSTRY THAT HAD BECOME A MONOPOLY.  IN  THE  NINETEEN
   11  THIRTIES AND NINETEEN FORTIES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STRENGTHENED REGU-
   12  LATION  OF  THE INDUSTRY IN THE AREAS OF SECURITIES, WHOLESALE RATES AND
   13  COST ACCOUNTING.
   14    SINCE THE LATE NINETEEN NINETIES, THE NEW YORK ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUS-
   15  TRY HAS CHANGED FROM AN INDUSTRY WHERE CUSTOMERS PAID ELECTRIC BILLS  AT
   16  COST-BASED  REGULATED RATES TO A PARTIALLY DEREGULATED INDUSTRY IN WHICH
   17  RATES FOR THE GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY ARE NO LONGER REGULATED BY STATE
   18  GOVERNMENT.
   19    IN NINETEEN NINETY-SIX,  THE  PUBLIC  SERVICE  COMMISSION  DECIDED  TO
   20  DEREGULATE THE INDUSTRY WITHOUT LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL, AND REQUIRED UTIL-
   21  ITIES  TO  DIVEST THEMSELVES OF THEIR GENERATION FACILITIES. IN NINETEEN
   22  HUNDRED NINETY-NINE, A NEW  ENTITY,  CALLED  THE  NEW  YORK  INDEPENDENT
   23  SYSTEM  OPERATOR,  OR  NYISO,  WAS FORMED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING AN
   24  EXCHANGE FOR THE SALE AND  PURCHASE  OF  ELECTRICITY  ON  THE  WHOLESALE
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD02509-01-5
       S. 2233                             2
    1  MARKET.  IT  WAS  ARGUED  THAT THIS NEW SYSTEM WOULD PROMOTE AND ENHANCE
    2  COMPETITION, AND WOULD RESULT  IN  LOWER  COSTS  TO  NEW  YORK'S  RETAIL
    3  CUSTOMERS.  UNFORTUNATELY,  NEW  YORKERS TODAY CONTINUE TO PAY AMONG THE
    4  HIGHEST ELECTRIC BILLS IN THE COUNTRY.
    5    THE  LEGISLATURE  IS CONCERNED THAT THESE HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS NOT ONLY
    6  PLACE A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON NEW YORKERS DURING  THIS  TIME  OF  ECONOMIC
    7  SLOWDOWN BUT ALSO DISCOURAGE BUSINESSES FROM FORMING OR COMING INTO THIS
    8  STATE.  THE  LEGISLATURE  BELIEVES  THAT  THE  PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
    9  SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO OVERSEE AND MONITOR THE OPERATIONS  OF  NYISO  TO
   10  ENSURE  THAT  ITS  ACTIONS AND DECISIONS ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL
   11  NEW YORKERS.
   12    S 251. INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR.  1.  THERE  IS  HEREBY  CREATED  A
   13  CORPORATE  ENTITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE "NEW YORK INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERA-
   14  TOR" OR "NYISO". THE ENTITY SHALL BE  A  BODY  CORPORATE  AND  SHALL  BE
   15  FORMED  AS  A  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  CORPORATION  AND  SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE
   16  PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE AND OF THE  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  CORPORATION  LAW.
   17  SUCH  ENTITY  SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMIS-
   18  SION TO MONITOR, MANAGE AND ADMINISTER THE WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY  MARKET
   19  IN THIS STATE.
   20    2. THE INTERNAL OPERATIONS OF THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR SHALL BE
   21  GOVERNED  AND OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION,
   22  WHICH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF  THE  COMMISSION.  THE  BYLAWS
   23  SHALL  SPECIFY  THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE APPROPRIATE STAKEHOLDERS OF THE
   24  CORPORATION ELECT ITS DIRECTORS AND  PRESCRIBE  PROFESSIONAL  QUALIFICA-
   25  TIONS  FOR  SELECTION  AS  A DIRECTOR. THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE CORPO-
   26  RATION SHALL CONSIST OF AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS, SUBJECT TO  THE  FOLLOW-
   27  ING:
   28    (A)  THE  CHAIR  OF  THE  COMMISSION SHALL BE AN EX-OFFICIO NON-VOTING
   29  MEMBER;
   30    (B) ALL DIRECTORS SHALL POSSESS SUFFICIENT AND RELEVANT  KNOWLEDGE  OR
   31  EXPERIENCE  IN  THE  ELECTRIC  INDUSTRY,  SUCH  AS  ELECTRIC  REGULATORY
   32  AFFAIRS, UTILITY MANAGEMENT, BULK POWER SYSTEMS, POWER POOL  OPERATIONS,
   33  CORPORATE FINANCE, CONSUMER ADVOCACY OR ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS;
   34    (C)  THE  CHAIR OF THE GOVERNING BOARD SHALL NOT BE AN EMPLOYEE OF THE
   35  INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR; AND
   36    (D) ALL DIRECTORS SHALL BE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE.
   37    3. THE  INDEPENDENT  SYSTEM  OPERATOR  SHALL  CONDUCT  ITS  OPERATIONS
   38  CONSISTENT  WITH  APPLICABLE  STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND CONSISTENT WITH
   39  THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE.  THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERA-
   40  TOR SHALL MANAGE THE TRANSMISSION GRID AND RELATED ENERGY MARKETS  IN  A
   41  MANNER THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
   42    (A)   OPERATING  OPEN,  FAIR  AND  COMPETITIVE  WHOLESALE  ELECTRICITY
   43  MARKETS;
   44    (B) REDUCING, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, OVERALL  ECONOMIC  COST  TO  THE
   45  STATE'S CONSUMERS;
   46    (C)  ADOPTING  INSPECTION,  MAINTENANCE  AND  REPAIR STANDARDS FOR THE
   47  TRANSMISSION FACILITIES UNDER ITS CONTROL. SUCH STANDARDS SHALL  PROVIDE
   48  FOR HIGH QUALITY, SAFE AND RELIABLE SERVICE;
   49    (D)  COMPLYING  WITH  APPLICABLE  STATE  LAWS  INTENDED TO PROTECT THE
   50  PUBLIC'S HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE;
   51    (E) MAXIMIZING AVAILABILITY OF EXISTING ELECTRIC GENERATION  RESOURCES
   52  NECESSARY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE STATE'S ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERS;
   53    (F)  ENSURING  ACCESS TO THE TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS FOR
   54  ALL BUYERS AND SELLERS OF ELECTRICITY ON NONDISCRIMINATORY TERMS;
   55    (G) MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING THE  RELIABILITY  AND  ADEQUACY  OF  THE
   56  REGIONAL ELECTRICAL NETWORK; AND
       S. 2233                             3
    1    (H)  CONDUCTING  INTERNAL  OPERATIONS  IN A MANNER THAT MINIMIZES COST
    2  IMPACT ON RATEPAYERS TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE AND CONSISTENT  WITH  THE
    3  PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
    4    4. THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR SHALL ALSO DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
    5    (A)  CONSULT  AND COORDINATE WITH APPROPRIATE STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES
    6  TO ENSURE THAT THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR OPERATES  IN  FURTHERANCE
    7  OF STATE LAW REGARDING CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION;
    8    (B)  ENSURE  THAT THE PURPOSES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM
    9  OPERATOR ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE PURPOSES AND FUNCTIONS OF  NOT-FOR-PRO-
   10  FIT   CORPORATIONS   IN   THE   STATE,  INCLUDING  DUTIES  OF  CARE  AND
   11  CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST STANDARDS FOR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS  OF  A  CORPO-
   12  RATION REQUIRED UNDER THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION LAW; AND
   13    (C) COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLES SIX AND SEVEN OF THE PUBLIC
   14  OFFICERS LAW.
   15    5.  (A)  THE  INDEPENDENT  SYSTEM  OPERATOR  SHALL DISCLOSE PRICE DATA
   16  RELATED TO ITS WHOLESALE MARKET OPERATIONS INCLUDING,  BUT  NOT  LIMITED
   17  TO, INFORMATION ON REAL-TIME, HOUR-AHEAD AND DAY-AHEAD BIDS IN THE INDE-
   18  PENDENT  SYSTEM OPERATOR'S WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY MARKET AUCTIONS, TRANS-
   19  MISSION CONGESTION  CONTRACT  AUCTIONS  AND  INSTALLED  CAPACITY  MARKET
   20  AUCTIONS  WITH  NO  MORE  THAN  A  THREE MONTH DELAY. SUCH DATA SHALL BE
   21  PROVIDED IN AGGREGATE HOURLY, DAILY, MONTHLY, ANNUAL AND HISTORICAL DATA
   22  SETS FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES AND SHALL ALSO REFLECT  SEASONAL  AND  PEAK
   23  LOAD VARIATIONS AND AVERAGES.
   24    (B)  THE  INDEPENDENT  SYSTEM  OPERATOR SHALL PREPARE AND ISSUE TO THE
   25  GOVERNOR AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE A MONTHLY REPORT  SHOWING  THE  PRICE
   26  TRANSACTIONS  BETWEEN  THE WHOLESALE GENERATOR OR POWER PRODUCER AND THE
   27  INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR, AND BETWEEN THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR
   28  AND ENTITIES THAT DISTRIBUTE THE ELECTRICITY. THE REPORT SHALL BE  BASED
   29  ON  TRANSACTIONS  OCCURRING THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE REPORT
   30  OR ANALYSIS, BROKEN DOWN BY MARKET ZONES, AND SHALL INCLUDE AT  A  MINI-
   31  MUM:
   32    (I) THE QUANTITY OF ELECTRICITY PURCHASED AND SOLD;
   33    (II) THE PRICE PAID FOR THE ELECTRICITY; AND
   34    (III) THE SELLERS AND PURCHASERS OF THE WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY.
   35    (C)  THE  INDEPENDENT  SYSTEM OPERATOR SHALL DISCLOSE THE NAMES OF ANY
   36  PERSON OR ENTITY THAT SUBMITS A BID IN ANY OF THE AUCTIONS DESCRIBED  IN
   37  PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION AND THE AMOUNT OF THE BID. SUCH INFOR-
   38  MATION SHALL BE MADE IN A FORMAT READILY AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE
   39  PUBLIC.
   40    6.  THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR SHALL APPOINT AN EMPLOYEE TO SERVE
   41  AS CONSUMER LIAISON, WHOSE PRIMARY DUTY SHALL BE TO INTERACT WITH RETAIL
   42  CUSTOMERS OR OTHER END-USERS FOR THE PURPOSES OF:
   43    (A) KEEPING RETAIL CUSTOMERS  INFORMED  ABOUT  DEVELOPMENTS  THAT  MAY
   44  AFFECT THEIR INTERESTS;
   45    (B)  EXPLAINING THE ISSUES AND PROPOSALS UNDER DISCUSSION AND PROPOSED
   46  FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEES OF THE CORPORATION AS  WELL  AS  THE
   47  RAMIFICATIONS  OF  ANY SUCH ISSUES OR PROPOSALS ON RESIDENTIAL AND OTHER
   48  CUSTOMERS;
   49    (C) RESPONDING TO THE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS OF RETAIL CUSTOMERS; AND
   50    (D) SERVING AS THE  LIAISON  BETWEEN  THE  RETAIL  CUSTOMERS  AND  THE
   51  MEMBERS  OF  THE GOVERNING BOARD WHO ARE DESIGNATED OR ASSIGNED TO FOCUS
   52  ON THE INTERESTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL, SMALL BUSINESS AND FARM ELECTRICITY
   53  USERS.
   54    S 252. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 1. THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR IS
   55  DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMISSION  AS  PROVIDED  IN
   56  THIS  SECTION.  THE  COMMISSION  HAS  COMPLETE  AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE AND
       S. 2233                             4
    1  INVESTIGATE SUCH OPERATOR'S FINANCES, BUDGET, AND OPERATIONS  AS  NECES-
    2  SARY  TO ENSURE THAT THE OPERATOR HAS PERFORMED ITS FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES
    3  IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS OR REGULATIONS.
    4    2.  THE  COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND MONITOR THE MARKET AND
    5  CORPORATE OPERATIONS OF THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR,  INCLUDING  BUT
    6  NOT LIMITED TO, THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT:
    7    (A)  SERVES THE NEEDS OF ALL CUSTOMER CLASSES AND OPERATES IN A MANNER
    8  THAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC;
    9    (B) ENSURES RELIABILITY, QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE OF  THE  TRANSMISSION
   10  SYSTEM; AND
   11    (C)  CONTRIBUTES  TO  THE  ACHIEVEMENT  OF  ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND FUEL
   12  DIVERSITY GOALS OF THE STATE.
   13    3. THE COMMISSION SHALL ALSO BE AUTHORIZED TO:
   14    (A) REQUIRE THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR  TO  PROVIDE  REPORTS  AND
   15  INFORMATION  RELATING  TO THE CORPORATION'S REVENUES, EXPENSES AND OTHER
   16  FINANCIAL MATTERS; AND RELATING TO THE CORPORATION'S PERFORMANCE OF  THE
   17  FUNCTIONS  PRESCRIBED  BY ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE LAWS OR AS SET
   18  FORTH IN ITS AGREEMENTS WITH ELECTRIC AND  GAS  CORPORATIONS  AND  OTHER
   19  UTILITIES;
   20    (B)  PRESCRIBE  A SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERA-
   21  TOR;
   22    (C) REVIEW THE BIDDING AUCTIONS USED BY THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM  OPERA-
   23  TOR,  INCLUDING  THE  UNIFORM  PRICE  AUCTION, TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH
   24  AUCTIONS ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THIS STATE'S RETAIL  CUSTOMERS  AND
   25  TO  ENSURE  THAT  THEY  ARE  FAIR  AND  OBJECTIVE, FREE OF COLLUSION AND
   26  CONFLICTS OF INTEREST;
   27    (D) CONDUCT AUDITS OF THE REPORTS AND INFORMATION ISSUED OR  SUBMITTED
   28  PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION. THE COMMISSION MAY RETAIN
   29  OR  CONTRACT  WITH  AN  INDEPENDENT FIRM OR ORGANIZATION TO CONDUCT SUCH
   30  AUDIT;
   31    (E) INSPECT THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR'S FACILITIES, RECORDS  AND
   32  ACCOUNTS  DURING  REASONABLE  HOURS  AND  AFTER REASONABLE NOTICE TO THE
   33  INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION;
   34    (F) ASSESS ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES  AGAINST  THE  INDEPENDENT  SYSTEM
   35  OPERATOR FOR VIOLATING ANY PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE, OR A RULE OR ORDER
   36  ADOPTED  BY THE COMMISSION. AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMMISSION, THE ATTOR-
   37  NEY GENERAL MAY APPLY FOR A  COURT  ORDER  TO  REQUIRE  THE  INDEPENDENT
   38  SYSTEM OPERATOR TO COMPLY WITH COMMISSION RULES AND ORDERS; AND
   39    (G)  RESOLVE  DISPUTES BETWEEN RETAIL CUSTOMERS OR OTHER END-USERS AND
   40  THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR, AND ADOPT PROCEDURES FOR THE  EFFICIENT
   41  RESOLUTION OF SUCH DISPUTES.
   42    4.  (A)  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  ANNUALLY  ISSUE A REPORT RELATING THE
   43  MARKET AND CORPORATE OPERATIONS OF THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR. SUCH
   44  REPORTS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   45    (I) ANALYSES  BY  THE  INDEPENDENT  SYSTEM  OPERATOR  AND  OTHER  DATA
   46  COLLECTED  AND  ANALYZED  BY THE COMMISSION ON REAL-TIME, HOUR-AHEAD AND
   47  DAY-AHEAD MARKET BIDS AND BIDDERS IN THE INDEPENDENT  SYSTEM  OPERATOR'S
   48  WHOLESALE  ELECTRICITY MARKET AUCTIONS, TRANSMISSION CONGESTION CONTRACT
   49  AUCTIONS AND INSTALLED MARKET AUCTIONS;
   50    (II) A DETERMINATION OF WHETHER OR NOT ALL CUSTOMER CLASSES ARE  BEING
   51  ADEQUATELY SERVED BY COMPETITIVE ENERGY MARKETS;
   52    (III)  A  DETERMINATION  OF  THE  COMPETITIVENESS  OF  ENERGY MARKETS;
   53  INCLUDING A DETERMINATION  WHETHER  OR  NOT  THE  ELECTRIC  INDUSTRY  IS
   54  PROVIDING  CONSUMERS  WITH  THE LOWEST PRICES POSSIBLE WITHIN A RESTRUC-
   55  TURED, COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE;
       S. 2233                             5
    1    (IV) A DETERMINATION OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH  THE  ENERGY  MARKETS  ARE
    2  ACHIEVING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND FUEL DIVERSITY GOALS OF THE STATE;
    3    (V) THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR'S FINANCIAL INFORMATION;
    4    (VI)  A  COST  ANALYSIS COMPARING THE AVERAGE MONTHLY COST OF A RETAIL
    5  CUSTOMER UNDER THE CURRENT FEDERALLY REGULATED MARKET WITH  THE  AVERAGE
    6  MONTHLY  COSTS  TO  THE SAME OR SIMILAR CUSTOMER IF THE MARKET WAS REGU-
    7  LATED BY THE COMMISSION. SUCH ANALYSIS SHALL BE BROKEN DOWN  INTO  SEPA-
    8  RATE  CATEGORIES  INCLUDING,  BUT NOT LIMITED TO, UTILITY SERVICE AREAS;
    9  CUSTOMER TYPES, SUCH AS RESIDENTIAL,  COMMERCIAL,  INDUSTRIAL;  AND  ANY
   10  OTHER CATEGORY DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION; AND
   11    (VII)  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING ANY DEFICIENCIES SO IDENTIFIED IN
   12  ELECTRICITY ENERGY  MARKETS,  INCLUDING  NON-COMPETITIVE  PRICING  SITU-
   13  ATIONS.
   14    (B)  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  SUBMIT  SUCH  REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE
   15  TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND  THE
   16  CHAIRS  OF  THE ENERGY AND THE CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
   17  COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY, NO LATER THAN DECEMBER FIRST,
   18  TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER.
   19    S 2. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part
   20  of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction  to
   21  be  invalid,  the  judgment  shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the
   22  remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause,
   23  sentence, paragraph, section or part thereof directly  involved  in  the
   24  controversy in which the judgment shall have been rendered.
   25    S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.