Creates a small business renewable tax credit; provides the term "business related renewable energy usage" shall refer to renewable power usage used to further the economic activity of the taxpayer at the primary business location that is clearly delimited from any shared renewable energy power usage cost.
This bill defines "agrivoltaics" as projects that simultaneously use land for solar energy generation and agriculture (like growing crops under solar panels), with specific requirements to maintain farming activities. It requires state authorities to prioritize previously developed sites - such as brownfields, landfills, parking lots, and underutilized commercial properties - for new renewable energy projects. The law directly affects agricultural producers and renewable energy developers by creating a framework for dual-use solar-farming projects on suitable land. Key provisions include mandatory planning with farmers, decommissioning plans to protect farmland, and restrictions on using pollinator habitats or sheep grazing as the sole activity.
Requires signage on state highways designating where there is a zero-emission charging and refueling station that is open and available to the public within three miles of an exit or off-ramp.
Relates to small business energy assistance and advocacy services; establishes the small business energy assistance and advocacy services program within the division for small-business; authorizes the division for small-business to initiate complaints to the public service commission regarding gas and electricity and steam heat.
Enacts the "public renewables transparency act"; relates to the New York power authority's conferral process; requires the conferral report be posted on the authority's website; provides that the authority shall provide an option for stakeholders to submit comments remotely as well, and incorporate feedback from such sessions and written comments into the final draft of the strategic plan; makes related provisions.
Requires the New York state energy research and development authority conduct a study on Brooklyn College constructing a micro-grid to study the feasibility, efficiency, and energy saving costs if such a micro-grid was constructed on campus.
This bill requires gas and electric utility companies in New York to provide customers with 45 days' written notice before implementing any service rate or charge increase. It directly affects all residential and business customers of these utilities by giving them advance warning of upcoming cost changes. The key provision mandates that notices must be delivered in writing at least 45 days prior to the effective date of the increase. This policy change aims to provide customers with greater transparency and time to adjust their budgets or explore alternatives.
Requires the state fire administrator to make available a specialized electric vehicle emergency response training program to provide training to individuals responsible for providing emergency response and recovery following incidents involving electric vehicles; defines emergency medical services agency.
Requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to use apprenticeship agreements; requires thermal energy networks to require contractors and subcontractors to use pre-apprenticeship direct entry providers registered with the department of labor.
Establishes the mechanical insulation energy savings program to provide grants for qualified mechanical insulation expenditures to school districts, public hospitals, public housing buildings, and political subdivisions that have completed a qualified audit.
