Other State Initiatives

While California is one of the clear leaders in the adoption of DER, many other states are actively promoting the research, development, and demonstration of distributed energy resources. More information about the status of deregulation and DER within a specific state can usually be obtained from the state's Public Utility Commission (PUC) or Public Service Commission (PSC) or Board of Public Utilities (BPU).

Three states that are actively funding DER projects are Connecticut, New York, and Texas. Some of the organizations and agencies that provide DER initiatives in these states are discussed in detail below.

Connecticut
As the home of UTC Fuel Cells (formerly International Fuel Cells), Fuel Cell Energy, and Proton Energy, Connecticut is sometimes referred to as the "Fuel Cell State". The state supports the development of fuel cells and renewables through its Clean Energy Fund, which was created in 1998 as part of the legislation to deregulate the electric industry. The Clean Energy Fund supports initiatives to develop sustainable markets for energy through a surcharge on consumers' utility bills. More information about DER initiatives and restructuring of the electric industry in Connecticut is available from the Department of Public Utility Control.

New York
Like California, a number of entities within the state of New York strongly support the advancement of DER technologies. Two of these groups are discussed below. Additional information about deregulation and DER initiatives in the state of New York may be obtained from the Public Service Commission and the Department of Environmental Conservation.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
In 1975, New York created NYSERDA to promote energy efficiency and environmental protection through advanced energy and DER RD&D projects. NYSERDA derives its basic research revenues from an assessment on the intrastate sales of the state's investor-owned electric and gas utilities, as well as voluntary contributions by the New York Power Authority and the Long Island Power Authority. Additional research dollars come from limited corporate funds.

New York Power Authority (NYPA)
NYPA is a state-owned, public power enterprise that sells low-cost power to New York's rural electric cooperatives, municipal electric systems, job-producing companies, and to neighboring states. NYPA's Research and Technology Group funds a number of DER projects in order to develop innovative new technologies for a deregulated marketplace.