New State Legislation Extends Remote Net-Metering Law

Albany, NY (WIBX) - Small scale energy producers in the Mohawk Valley now have a new way to generate electricity.

The State Senate and Assembly recently passed a bill allowing micro-hydroelectric generation to be added to the current remote net-metering law.

Jeff Williams, with the New York Farm Bureau, says the concept of net-metering is simple and can be cost-effective in the long run.

"You use that solar power, or in this case, the hydroelectric power, to then generate the energy to heat your house or farm, and then you use all you need," Williams said. "And then, if you have any extra energy that you don't need for your own use, you can put it back on the actual energy grid and sell it back to the company."

Currently, remote net-metering only applies to wind, solar and farm waste energy equipment.

The bill's sponsor, Anthony Brindisi, says "This is just one more example of how we are working to make New York State and the Mohawk Valley more business-friendly."