Relates to transparency and other requirements for applications submitted to ORES for siting of major renewable energy and major electric transmission facilities.
Provides that the New York state energy research and development authority shall provide information to residential and commercial consumers regarding renewable energy technology incentive and affordability programs through a variety of methods, including brochures, posters, social media, television ads, and public ambassadors.
Enacts the "NYS ratepayer protection nuclear moratorium act" under which certain state funds and subsidies are prohibited from being expended for new, reopened or rebuilt closed nuclear power facilities and related entities; creates a nuclear assessment task force.
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.
Delays the zero-emission school bus mandate for a period of five years; requires school districts to only purchase or lease zero-emission school buses by 2032 and requires school districts to only operate and maintain zero-emission school buses by 2040.
Exempts any school district located wholly or partially within a ten-mile plume exposure pathway emergency planning zone surrounding a nuclear power facility from the requirements of only purchasing or leasing zero-emission school buses and only operating and maintaining zero-emission school buses.
Prohibits allocation of economic development power to data centers; provides for certain caps on amounts and eligibility for industrial development agency financial assistance; provides for the return of industrial development agency-awarded financial assistance if certain job levels are not maintained within 5 years of project completion; designates the department of environmental conservation as the mandatory lead agency for environmental quality review of any action consuming over 20 megawatts; requires environmental quality review for any action within 10 miles of a federally recognized Indian nation's territory.
Establishes a municipal solar planning grant program for municipalities to receive grants for plans to develop solar energy systems on agricultural land and commercially-zoned properties in such municipalities; creates a database to track such solar energy system distribution.
Relates to enacting the "New York photovoltaic module stewardship and take-back program act"; provides that the department of environmental conservation shall develop guidance for a photovoltaic module stewardship and take-back program to guide manufacturers in preparing and implementing a self-directed program to ensure the convenient, safe, and environmentally sound take-back and recycling of photovoltaic modules and their components and materials; establishes the photovoltaic module recycling account for the purpose of paying all costs of the department of environmental conservation for management and administration of the New York photovoltaic module stewardship and take-back program.
Requires utility service providers to disclose planned rate increases to consumers within thirty days before a planned price increase takes effect; requires utility providers to provide contact information and a mechanism to cancel service completely.
