Energy (Renewable Energy)

This bill exempts homeowners from property tax increases on qualifying renewable energy systems installed within specific timeframes. It covers solar, wind, or farm waste systems installed before 1988 or between 1991-2030, plus newer systems like micro-hydro, fuel cells, or electric storage installed between 2018-2030. Systems must not exceed 20 kilowatts of generation capacity or 30 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity. The exemption applies only to systems meeting these criteria and installation dates. Homeowners with qualifying systems installed during these periods will avoid tax hikes tied to their renewable energy equipment.

Directs the public service commission in consultation with NYSERDA 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 within nine months after the effective date and every four years thereafter.

Authorizes local municipalities and political subdivisions to have final say on if a renewable energy power plant can be sited in such municipalities' or political subdivisions' jurisdiction; establishes conflict of interest standards for approving the siting of a renewable energy power plant in a local municipality or political subdivision; requires the office of renewable energy siting and electric transmissions establish a database to collect and display host agreements and land contracts for renewable energy power plants; establishes contract standards concerning the forfeiture of mineral rights for the siting of renewable energy power plants; regulates the conduct of businesses engaged in the conduct of selling renewable energy power plants.