"Reforming the Energy Vision" (REV) is a major decision-making process underway now to transform the retail electricity market and overhaul New York's energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The stated goal of the proceeding is to create a cleaner, more affordable, more modern and more efficient energy system in New York, through the increased development of distributed energy resources, like rooftop solar, energy efficiency, and battery storage.

The REV proceeding was initiated by New York's Public Service Commission in April, 2014.



Watch a 16 minute briefing on REV by Jessica Azulay, AGREE program director:

Note: The PSC has changed the times of the earlier information sessions in New York City and Buffalo. The information sessions will now start at 2:00pm and the hearings will start at 3:00pm. PSC has also added a hearing in Westchester County, Rochester and Binghamton. See the sidebar of this page for the most up-to-date hearing schedule.

What is REV?

Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is a process initiated by the New York Public Service Commission (PSC), which is the state agency that regulates the utility companies in New York. REV seeks to speed up the transition to energy efficiency and renewables by overhauling the regulations that govern utility companies and designing new energy markets. The PSC says that REV will give consumers more control over their energy use and engage them as energy producers. By promoting efficiency and distributed energy, REV also seeks to avoid billions of dollars in investments to repair or replace our aging energy infrastructure.

Distributed energy refers to small scale energy sources like rooftop solar, residential wind, battery storage, combined heat and power, energy efficiency, demand response, and other decentralized energy resources. A decentralized system based on these resources can be more efficient and resilient (meaning it can better withstand or recover from extreme weather events and outages).

Read the Public Service Commission's Staff Straw Proposal on Track 1 of REV. (This is the main document put forth for comments right now.)

Watch this online teach-in about REV.

(A much longer and more in-depth version of the presenation above.)



Why does REV Matter?

REV is an opportunity to fight for energy democracy, so that residents and communities can be full participants in a clean energy future, from owning renewable energy projects, controlling how we distribute energy, or gaining the power to make decisions about how energy investments are made in our neighborhoods.



However, the development of REV has been highly influenced by New York's investor-owned utility companies (like National Grid, ConEdison, RG&E, etc). As a result, the PSC is poised to hand the design of and responsibilities for our renewable energy and energy efficiency programs over to the for-profit investor-owned utilities. Also of concern is that as the state moves toward a market-oriented approach to promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, the PSC is proposing to phase out subsidies for clean energy over the next 10 years.



This is why we must reclaim the energy vision and make our voices heard in the REV process. Attend a hearing near you, or submit written comments to the PSC.



Talking Points – Reclaim the Energy Vision

Utilities companies should not dominate the process or the system

The PSC should not hand control over new energy markets to large investor-owned utilities, like National Grid, that have little or no public accountability. Instead, energy markets should be overseen by an independent statewide institution, democratically governed by representatives from a variety of public interest sectors and stakeholders.



Community organizations must have a strong role in implementing efficiency and renewable programs because they have the public trust and are experts in community education, outreach and moving people to act.



Every New Yorker should have access to the benefits of clean energy

REV should prioritize community owned and shared renewable development so that we can gain collective control over our energy choices, ensure local jobs, and keep energy dollars in our own communities.



Access to energy efficiency retrofits and energy saving technologies as well as pathways to clean energy ownership must be open to all New Yorkers. Access should not be based on home-ownership, credit scores, wealth, income, tax credits, or anything that disproportionately excludes low-income people, people of color, women and other oppressed groups.



The transition to an efficient renewable energy system should be equitable and just. REV markets and state-sponsored clean energy programs should be designed to deliver job creation, cost savings and health improvements to individuals and communities that are most in need of these benefits. Our new energy policies must reverse energy insecurity in low-income communities and address the pollution that disproportionately burdens communities of color.



New York must set and meet ambitious goals for greenhouse gas reductions

The REV proceeding must include strong greenhouse-gas reduction targets, based on the latest climate science, with short- and medium-term benchmarks and accountability measures to ensure they are met.



Government support and subsidies for renewable energy should not be phased out unless or until the REV’s market approach proves it can meet the state climate goals.



There is a need for regulation and consumer protections

Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and other market actors must be heavily regulated to protect consumers from deceptive marketing practices and predatory lending, and the PSC must set up a well-funded office to receive and follow up on consumer complaints.

REV should guarantee affordable access to a basic level of energy necessary to provide for a comfortable and healthy living space.

Public interest organizations and public advocates should be funded to intervene in PSC rate-cases and proceedings to protect consumers and the environment.

Download an explanation of REV and talking points to distribute or use for your reference.

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Public Service Commission on REV

Staff Straw Proposal on Track 1 of REV. (This is the main document put forth for comments right now.) The proposal outlines the goals, objectives, process and timeline for REV.

The staff also release a position paper on REV earlier in the process. Read it here.

REV Videos

Watch the Webinar: REV Explained

(with Alliance for a Green Economy, Environmental Advocates of New York, Pace Energy and Climate Center and Vote Solar)

Watch a Forum on REV, hosted by PSE Healthy Energy

(with the Public Service Commission, Pace Energy and Climate Center, PUSH Buffalo, and provacative questions from the audience)

Energy Democracy and REV

On September 11, 2014, AGREE and Catskill Mountainkeeper held an online teach-in webinar about REV and Energy Democracy. See details and review the slides here.

Energy Efficiency and REV

On September 17, 2014, AGREE, Catskill Mountainkeeper and PUSH Buffalo held an online teach-in on REV and Energy efficiency. See details and review slides here.