Energy

Enacts the "just energy transition act"; requires a study of competitive options to facilitate the phase-out, replacement and redevelopment of New York state's oldest and most-polluting fossil fueled generation facilities and their sites by the year 2030.

Requires net energy metering rates for residential customer-generators powering up to four units instead of compensation from the value of distributed energy resources compensation methodology or the value stack compensation methodology.

Increases the penalties imposed upon gas and electric utilities for failure to file or correct an annual report with the public service commission; provides such penalties shall not be more than one-tenth of 1% of the utilities' annual net revenue for each day of violation, but not to exceed $25,000 nor be less than $100.

Bolsters the use of hydrogen in relation to the state energy plan; directs various agencies to develop and implement plans for the use of hydrogen power.

S 98 requires electric corporations to cover the costs of "make-ready" infrastructure needed to charge electric vehicles for public fleets, such as government-owned buses, police cars, and school district vehicles. It mandates that corporations include 100% of their own infrastructure costs (like transformers and wiring) and at least 50% of customer infrastructure costs (like site wiring) in their rates - increasing to 90% in disadvantaged communities - so these expenses are shared across all utility customers instead of paid directly by fleet operators. This reduces upfront financial barriers for public entities transitioning to electric fleets while ensuring infrastructure costs are recovered through standard rate structures. The bill applies specifically to state, municipal, school district, and public authority fleets, not private businesses.