Energy

Requires each utility to take appropriate safety precautions regarding electrical hazards, including developing plans to promptly de-energize downed wires within two hours of notification of the location of such downed wires from a municipal emergency responder and promptly secure such wires within six hours in the case of events that are not considered emergencies.

Establishes a comprehensive electric vehicle fast charging station implementation plan; requires the New York state energy and research development authority to further establish a "Fast Charge NY working group" to develop such plan; makes related provisions.

Requires an applicant filing any application for a permit or authorization relating to the siting or construction of a qualified energy storage system that has a storage capacity greater than one megawatt hour, is connected to the local distribution system and primarily operated for commercial or electric retail purposes, and is not constructed in connection with a major renewable energy facility to provide notice of such application to the chief executive of the city, town, or village in which it is located and each member of the state legislature within whose district the proposed energy storage system is to be located.

Enacts into law major components of legislation necessary to implement the state education, labor, housing and family assistance budget for the 2026-2027 state fiscal year; relates to contracts for excellence, foundation aid, the homeless and foster count, renewable energy projects, zero-emissions school buses and to apportioning aid for universal prekindergarten; relates to reimbursement for the 2026-2027 school year and the maximum contract hours, withholding a portion of employment preparation education aid, and the effectiveness thereof; relates to the use of apportionments for the EXCEL program and the effectiveness thereof; relates to maximum class sizes for special classes for certain students with disabilities; provides for special apportionment for salary expenses; provides for special apportionment for public pension accruals; amends provisions relating to the apportionment amount for the Roosevelt union free school district; provides for set-asides from the state funds which certain districts are receiving from the total foundation aid; provides for support of public libraries; repeals certain provisions relating to the statewide universal full-day prekindergarten program (Part A); relates to evidence-based instructional practices in the subject of mathematics for students in kindergarten through grade five (Part B); relates to the eligibility of students enrolled in an approved program leading to a degree in a high demand field for the New York opportunity promise scholarship (Part C); allows for the chancellor of SUNY and CUNY to impose differential tuition rates on non-resident undergraduate and graduate students until the 2028-2029 academic year (Part E); relates to early childhood educator eligibility for the masters-in-education teacher incentive scholarship program (Part F); changes the name of the "New York state musical instrument revolving fund" to the "New York state music grant fund"; includes musical education in school districts and boards of cooperative educational services within not-for-profit musical entities incorporated in the state and organized for the purpose of the presentation of performing arts for the benefit of the public (Part G); extends provisions of law relating to restructuring financing for residential school placements (Part K); increases the standards of monthly need for aged, blind and disabled persons living in the community (Part L); utilizes reserves in the mortgage insurance fund for the neighborhood preservation program, the rural preservation program, the rural rental assistance program, and the New York state supportive housing program, the solutions to end homelessness program or the operational support for AIDS housing program (Part M); increases the number of land banks which can simultaneously exist in the state of New York from 35 to 45 (Part N); authorizes a tax abatement for alterations and improvements to multiple dwellings for purposes of preserving habitability in affordable housing (Part O); relates to establishing the crime of aggravated harassment of a rent regulated tenant (Part P); renumbers the disparate impact standard for housing and employment in the human rights law (Part Q); defines eligible multiple dwelling under the affordable New York housing program; includes a multiple dwelling that is located on a parcel of land which was part of a tract of land for which a special permit for a large scale general development was approved via the uniform land use review procedure on or before June 15, 2022, and such tract contains a multiple dwelling for which the commencement date is after December 31, 2015 and on or before June 15, 2022 and complies with certain affordability options (Part R).

This bill defines "portable solar generation devices" (moveable solar panels connecting via standard outlets, max 1,200 watts, certified by labs) and exempts them from utility interconnection and net metering requirements. It directly affects residential customers using these small solar devices and electric utilities. Key provisions prevent utilities from requiring approval, charging fees, or demanding extra equipment for these devices, while also shielding utilities from liability for device-related damage. The law takes immediate effect.

This bill prohibits utility companies from terminating residential electricity or heat service during forecasts of extreme temperatures - specifically when the National Weather Service predicts 95°F or higher (heat index) or 32°F or lower. It directly affects residential customers in New York, preventing service cutoffs on the day of such forecasts or during any subsequent holiday or weekend. Key provisions require utilities to maintain service during these periods and align with existing cold-weather protections for vulnerable residents. The law applies immediately upon enactment and does not override stricter existing utility settlements.

This bill requires new or significantly expanding hyperscale data centers (over 10,000 sq ft/5+ MW) to fund residential energy upgrades that offset their electricity demand. It directs these funds toward installing cold-climate heat pumps, rooftop solar, and battery storage in New York homes with outdated systems, prioritizing low-income and disadvantaged communities. NYSERDA will administer the program, ensuring projects align with state climate goals and provide free installations. The funds flow into a dedicated "Clean Home Energy Offset Fund" managed by NYSERDA, with data center operators required to submit annual compliance reports.

Authorizes and directs the department of public service to conduct a study on the deployment of energy interconnection processes into the electrical grid to meet the state's renewable energy goals; directs the department of public service to submit a report on its findings one year after the effective date.

Requires the public service commission to post a written summary of the actions taken by the commission or department upon approval of a major change in rates to promote ratepayer affordability and minimizing residential energy burden.

Provides that a vehicle or a combination of vehicles operated by an engine fueled primarily by means of natural gas, propane gas, or hydrogen or powered primarily by means of electric battery power may exceed certain weight limits by up to two thousand pounds.