Environment

passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 8512: Relates to portable solar generation devices

S 8512 (the "Solar UP Now NY Act") defines "portable solar generation devices" as moveable photovoltaic systems under 1,200 watts that connect via standard outlets to offset household electricity use. It exempts these devices from utility interconnection rules and net metering requirements, meaning customers don’t need utility approval, pay fees for grid feedback, or install extra equipment. The bill directly affects residential and small commercial users who want to use simple portable solar units without regulatory hurdles. Utilities cannot be held liable for damage from these devices, and the law takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts portable solar devices from utility rules, reducing barriers for residential renewable energy adoption and aligning with clean energy promotion.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts portable solar devices from utility rules, lowering barriers to residential clean energy adoption and promoting renewable energy use90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar Transmission Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2104: Enacts the "Niagara parks reinvestment act"

Enacts the "Niagara parks reinvestment act"; requires fifty percent of parking revenue generated at state parks in the county of Niagara to be deposited in the Niagara parks reinvestment fund; establishes the Niagara parks reinvestment fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects 50% of state park parking revenue to a dedicated fund for park reinvestment, allocating existing budget resources to a specific program.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs park revenue to a reinvestment fund for Niagara parks, supporting conservation of natural resources through park maintenance and preservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4626: Authorizes the county of Cattaraugus to discontinue as parklands and lease certain reforested lands in the town of Perrysburg

Bill A 4626 authorizes Cattaraugus County to stop using specific reforested lands (totaling ~64 acres) in Perrysburg as public parks and lease them for up to 30 years. The lease allows oil/gas exploration, timber production, and recreational use, with all lease revenue required to fund county park improvements or new park acquisitions. Public access to existing recreational facilities on the land must continue under a fair reservation system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs lease revenue from land to fund park improvements/acquisitions, strengthening county park budget allocation without tax increases.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows oil/gas exploration on reforested lands, prioritizing extractive industry over conservation and weakening parkland protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 15, 2026

A 815: Relates to ensuring net metering is a compensation floor for residential producers of energy

This bill (A 815) requires utilities to pay residential solar energy producers at least the rate provided by net energy metering. It amends New York's public service law to ensure customer-generators (homeowners with rooftop solar systems) never receive less compensation than what net energy metering would provide. The law prevents utilities from lowering payments below net metering rates during industry restructuring. This directly affects homeowners who generate their own electricity through solar panels.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates utilities pay residential solar producers at least net metering rate, protecting renewable energy compensation and advancing residential clean energy adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill ensures fair compensation for residential solar producers, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing reliance on fossil fuels through net metering protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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vetoed · New York · Assembly Oct 17, 2025

A 1890: Enacts the low impact landscaping rights act

Enacts the low impact landscaping rights act, preventing homeowners' associations from adopting or enforcing any rules or regulations that would effectively prohibit, or impose unreasonable limitations on, the installation or maintenance of low impact landscaping.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables eco-friendly landscaping practices that conserve water, reduce runoff, and support biodiversity, directly advancing environmental conservation goals.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7897: Requires renewable energy data resources provided by NYSERDA to include mapping of certain capital projects with a value of greater than one million dollars

Requires renewable energy data resources provided by NYSERDA to include mapping of certain capital projects with a value of greater than one million dollars for purposes of providing public information on the viability of siting of solar energy arrays, major renewable energy facilities, or major electric transmission facilities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires mapping of renewable projects >$1M to aid public siting of solar/renewable facilities, facilitating development and transparency in clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires mapping of renewable energy projects for public siting information, promoting transparency and development of clean energy infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 956: Authorizes counties to lease county land for natural gas exploration, development and production for 5 years or as long as gas is produced

Authorizes counties to lease county land for natural gas exploration, development and production for five years or as long as gas is produced in paying quantities.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly enables natural gas (fossil fuel) exploration, favoring fossil energy over renewables per topic indicators.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEnables natural gas exploration without environmental safeguards, prioritizing industry over environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4804: Requires the office of renewable energy siting to develop standards and conditions for the siting of certain large scale renewable energy systems

Requires the office of renewable energy siting to develop standards and conditions for the siting of certain large scale renewable energy systems; requires approval of municipalities to such siting plans.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates standards for renewable energy siting, advancing large-scale renewable development infrastructure without opposing language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates standards for large-scale renewable energy siting, directly promoting clean energy deployment and climate action without weakening environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Dec 8, 2025

A 2273: Enacts the state and local government food waste prevention and diversion act

Enacts the state and local government food waste prevention and diversion act; requires facilities generating excess food waste to take measures to minimize such waste.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMinimizes food waste to reduce landfill methane emissions and pollution, directly advancing environmental protection goals.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 14, 2026

A 8766: Relates to the standards for openable windows in residential units

This bill (A 8766) changes requirements for new residential buildings by allowing mechanical ventilation systems to satisfy the openable window rule. It requires newly built or converted residential units to meet ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for indoor air quality instead of having operable windows. Local governments are prohibited from enforcing openable window rules for units that comply with this mechanical ventilation standard. The law applies to all new residential developments, including conversions of non-residential buildings, and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReplaces natural ventilation (open windows) with energy-intensive mechanical systems, potentially increasing building energy use and emissions, weakening environmental protections.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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