This bill amends New York's environmental conservation law to establish requirements for recycling rechargeable batteries. It directly affects battery manufacturers (who must create approved recycling plans), retailers (who must accept used batteries), and consumers (who must return batteries instead of discarding them). Key provisions require retailers to accept up to 10 batteries daily (5 for e-scooter/bike batteries), display clear signage about battery recycling, and provide return options for online purchases. Manufacturers must operate under commissioner-approved collection and recycling plans, which retailers must verify before selling batteries. The law aims to keep batteries out of landfills by creating a structured take-back system.
This bill establishes a program to help school districts and eligible public buildings (like housing or hospitals) with structures over 20,000 square feet reduce energy costs through mechanical insulation upgrades. It requires free, qualified energy audits to identify needed insulation work and provides competitive grants covering 50% to 75% of approved insulation costs for HVAC systems, piping, and equipment. Grants are issued on a first-come basis after an approved audit, with the program to be implemented within one year of enactment. The law defines specific requirements for qualified contractors and insulation standards to ensure energy savings.
Requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to have apprenticeship agreements; relates to the effectiveness of provisions of law related thereto.
This bill requires energy services companies (ESCOs) to include clear, side-by-side price comparisons on customer bills. It mandates that each bill show the ESCO’s price for energy supply and delivery service compared to what the customer would pay if using their local utility or municipality, plus an itemized list of any extra energy products. Annual statements must also show whether the customer is saving money or paying more with the ESCO versus the local utility. These requirements apply to residential and small non-residential customers, and ESCOs must cover all compliance costs without passing them to customers.
Provides an exemption from requirements for the alienation of parkland for renewable energy generating projects with a generating capacity not exceeding two megawatts and which are located above real property currently used for vehicle parking.
Establishes the agrivoltaics viability pilot program to provide grants to identify the best practices and strategies for agrivoltaics and dual-use solar energy projects that protect soil health during construction and decommissioning of solar arrays, utilize sustainable agricultural production practices, monitor any benefits solar energy may have on farms and to the state, track economic viability, study the commercialization of dual-use solar energy projects, and encourage equitable engagement of stakeholders.
Creates a small business renewable tax credit; provides the term "business related renewable energy usage" shall refer to renewable power usage used to further the economic activity of the taxpayer at the primary business location that is clearly delimited from any shared renewable energy power usage cost.
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.
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.
Relates to small business energy assistance and advocacy services; establishes the small business energy assistance and advocacy services program within the division for small-business; authorizes the division for small-business to initiate complaints to the public service commission regarding gas and electricity and steam heat.
