Energy

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5687: Caps certain public utility profit margins at four percent

S 5687 caps annual profit margins for public gas and electric corporations, as well as municipal utility companies, at 4% of their equity investment. The bill defines "profit margin" as the return on equity (calculated based on the commission-approved rate structure), directly limiting how much these utilities can earn from their operations. This policy change requires utilities to adjust their pricing or operations to stay within the 4% cap starting January 1st after the bill takes effect. The measure applies specifically to publicly regulated utilities, not private companies.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCaps utility profits at 4% to protect consumers from excessive rates, aligning with consumer protection in energy policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4559: Enacts the "build to need act"

Enacts the "build to need act" to meet the state's electrification and climate related policy mandates; directs the public service commission to implement a grid planning process; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDirectly implements grid planning to meet climate/electrification mandates, advancing renewable energy infrastructure investment per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates grid planning to meet climate electrification goals, advancing clean energy infrastructure and climate policy compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Utility Regulation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5620: Relates to the establishment of reduced residential rates for electric and natural gas service to low-income customers

This bill requires electric and gas utilities to establish and maintain reduced residential rates (25-35% lower) for low-income customers. It directly affects low-income households receiving benefits from programs like SSI, SNAP, LIHEAP, or TANF, and mandates utilities to simplify enrollment through data sharing with social services agencies. Utilities must cover the revenue loss from these discounts using existing funds (like uncommitted surcharge revenues or disallowed bonuses) instead of raising rates for other customers. The law requires all eligible customers to be enrolled by January 1, 2027, with utilities providing clear application information at service setup and on bills.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates reduced energy rates for low-income households, directly protecting utility consumers per SUPPORT indicators without altering energy production or infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill lowers utility costs for low-income households (SSI/SNAP/LIHEAP/TANF), directly reducing housing expenses and increasing affordability for vulnerable residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7698: Requires the New York state energy research and development authority conduct a study on independent neighborhoods and homes in cities constructing micro-grids

Requires the New York state energy research and development authority conduct a study on independent neighborhoods and homes in cities constructing micro-grids to study the feasibility, efficiency, and energy saving costs if such micro-grids were constructed.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill studies micro-grid feasibility/efficiency for energy savings, aligning with renewable energy advancement and efficiency indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5628: Establishes an agrivoltaic production tax credit

Establishes an agrivoltaic production tax credit for farmers who manage a farm operation that is situated wholly or in part within one or more qualified agrivoltaic facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit for farmers, providing direct tax relief under fiscal policy as a targeted tax incentive.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates tax credit for agrivoltaic facilities, directly promoting renewable energy infrastructure and solar adoption through financial incentives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAgrivoltaics integrate solar energy production with agriculture, promoting clean energy use on farmland. The tax credit incentivizes adoption of this sustainable practice, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Solar

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6689: Relates to directing the public service commission to evaluate hydrogen, sewage thermal energy, and nuclear small modular reactors as renewable energy sources

Directs the public service commission to evaluate hydrogen, sewage thermal energy, and nuclear small modular reactors as renewable energy sources and report the results of such evaluation to the governor and the legislature.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDirects evaluation of hydrogen, sewage thermal, and nuclear small modular reactors as renewable energy sources, promoting potential expansion of renewable energy definitions and infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs evaluation of hydrogen, sewage thermal, and nuclear SMRs as renewable sources, promoting clean energy pathways aligned with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2040: Establishes the green building credit for construction or rehabilitation of property in conformity with certain energy efficiency standards

This bill creates a tax credit for homeowners who build or renovate their primary residence to meet specific energy efficiency standards (like LEED or NAHB guidelines). The credit covers up to $10,000 of eligible costs - such as construction, professional fees, and energy-efficient materials - over a 10-year period, but excludes items like computers, solar panels, or new air conditioning systems. Unused credit amounts can be carried forward for up to five years to offset future tax bills. It applies only to primary residences and takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing homeowner tax burden for energy-efficient construction, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income households.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides tax credit for energy-efficient home construction meeting LEED/NAHB standards, directly promoting reduced energy consumption and efficiency per bill's explicit purpose.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates tax credit for energy-efficient building construction, directly promoting reduced energy consumption and lower emissions per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Energy Efficiency Solar

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6260: Directs a full cost benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems in the state of New York and to compare such directly with other methods of electricity generation

Directs the public service commission in consultation with NYSERDA to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems in the state of New York and to compare such directly with other methods of electricity generation within nine months after the effective date and every four years thereafter.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates analysis of renewable energy feasibility vs. other methods, advancing evaluation for potential policy support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2478: Establishes a clean and resilient energy program

Establishes a clean and resilient energy program to encourage the development of clean and resilient behind the meter distributed energy resource projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes program to encourage clean/resilient distributed energy projects, directly promoting renewable energy infrastructure development per summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes program to encourage clean energy projects, directly advancing environmental protection through renewable energy development and resilience initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9087: Enacts the community solar opportunity and local approval reform (Community SOLAR) act

Enacts the "community solar opportunity and local approval reform (Community SOLAR) act"; authorizes municipalities to establish standards for distributed generation energy facilities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAuthorizes municipalities to establish standards for community solar facilities, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure development and promoting distributed generation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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