Enacts the "home utility weatherization jobs act"; requires each gas corporation, electric corporation, or combination gas or electric corporation to submit to the public service commission for review and approval at least one and up to ten neighborhood scale weatherization and electrification-ready projects.
Relates to establishing a one hundred percent clean renewable energy system for electricity by two thousand thirty-four; provides such energy system shall include solar, wind, geothermal and tidal sources.
Declares a climate emergency and places a ban on fossil fuel infrastructure projects but shall not apply to repair or maintenance of existing infrastructure.
This bill repeals two sections of New York's Public Service Law that previously allowed energy service companies (ESCOs) to sell electricity and natural gas directly to customers. It directly affects ESCOs, ending their legal authority to operate as independent energy sellers outside of regulated utility companies. The key mechanism is the removal of these specific law sections, which would prevent non-utility entities from offering electricity or gas sales. This change would require ESCOs to either transition to utility partnerships or exit the market, shifting energy sales back to traditional distribution companies.
Prohibits the granting of a certificate for the construction or operation of an on-shore or off-shore industrial wind turbine or wind farm within the jurisdiction and control of the state and within any area of the state outside of the city of New York unless a certificate for the construction or operation of an on-shore or off-shore industrial wind turbine or wind farm within geographic boundaries of or the shoreline adjacent to the city of New York is granted simultaneously.
Enacts the "electric super highway act", requiring alternative fuels to be available for public use along the New York state thruway after November 1, 2025 and providing each recommended alternative fuel at least every one hundred twenty miles on both sides of the thruway; defines "alternative fuel".
Provides the New York power authority with the right of first offer and refusal for acquiring any renewable generation facility, renewable energy generation project and any power or energy created by a renewable generation facility or renewable energy generation project.
This bill limits profit margins for public gas and electric utilities to 4% annually. It directly affects public utility companies (including municipal systems) that provide gas and electric services. The law defines "profit margin" as the return on equity (profit relative to their investment), capping it at 4% each year. The bill requires utilities to adjust rates to meet this cap, effective January 1st after enactment. It does not change existing service standards or customer rates directly, only the allowable profit level for these utilities.
This bill limits New York's municipal sustainable energy loan program to commercial businesses, nonprofits, and other entities - excluding individual homeowners. It removes the previous option for municipalities to provide standard loans to individuals, instead capping individual loans at 10% of a property's appraised value or actual project costs (whichever is lower). The change aligns with state energy efficiency goals under environmental law by focusing municipal funding on larger-scale projects. Municipalities may still offer limited individual loans but must adhere to strict cost-based limits.
Directs the public service commission 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; makes certain changes relating to greenhouse gas emissions limits.
