This bill amends New York's mechanical insulation energy savings program to clarify eligibility and funding details. It directly affects school districts (and potentially public housing/hospitals) with buildings over 20,000 square feet needing insulation upgrades. Key provisions include requiring free "qualified audits" by approved contractors to identify insulation needs and costs, then providing competitive grants covering 50% to 75% of approved insulation installation expenses. The program mandates the authority to establish rules within one year and prioritize applicants who complete these audits.
Enacts the "Customer Savings and Reliability Act" in relation to regional affordable gas transition plans to guide an orderly, affordable, and equitable right-sizing of the utility gas system in a manner that aligns with climate justice and emissions reduction provisions.
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.
Establishes a chief sustainability officer to coordinate efforts across state agencies and other state government entities to address climate change mitigation and climate sustainability efforts.
Authorizes and directs the energy research and development authority, the public service commission and NYPA to conduct a study to determine the possibility of closing certain peaker plants.
Establishes the "small water utility transparency act"; requires the public service commission and the department of environmental conservation to conduct audits of certain private water companies; requires certain private water companies which are under certain investigations to file public updates on the status of compliance with such orders.
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.
Prohibits publicly owned treatment works from accepting wastewater associated with the exploration, delineation, development, or production of natural gas from high-volume hydraulic fracturing; provides exceptions.
Directs the New York state energy research and development authority to establish a ride clean rebate program for electric assist bicycles and electric scooters; defines terms; provides a fifty percent rebate for eligible purchases.
Bill S 7135 requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to initiate the development of hybrid heating pilot programs across the state. Within six months, gas and combination gas and electric corporations must submit plans for these programs, which involve installing systems that pair heat pump technology with traditional gas heating. The plans must prioritize customers in disadvantaged communities and low-to-moderate income households. The PSC will review and approve these plans, considering their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide reliable heating, with utilities authorized to recover program costs through customer surcharges.
