S 5942 establishes a 5-year pilot program to support electric school bus infrastructure. It awards competitive grants to two school districts per economic development region annually, covering costs for planning and building clean energy micro-grids (charging infrastructure) needed for electric buses. The state appropriates $20 million from general funds and NYERDA contributes $20 million from clean energy ratepayer funds to cover these expenses. The program expires April 1, 2030, and aims to reduce long-term operating costs while advancing state clean energy goals.
This bill increases tax credits for installing geothermal energy systems. It raises the maximum credit to $10,000 for systems placed in service on or after July 1, 2025 (up from $5,000 before June 2025). It also adds refundability for qualifying low-income taxpayers or those in disadvantaged communities, allowing excess credits to be refunded instead of carried forward starting in 2026. The policy directly affects homeowners and businesses installing geothermal systems, providing greater financial incentives for adoption.
This bill prohibits the use of grade 4 fuel oil (a specific type of heavy fuel oil classified under ASTM D396-15c) in all buildings and facilities across the state after July 1, 2030. It directly affects commercial, industrial, and residential properties that currently rely on this fuel for heating or energy. The key provision sets a clear deadline for the phaseout, while allowing municipalities to adopt stricter local regulations if desired. The bill does not require immediate replacement but mandates a transition to alternative fuels or systems by the 2030 deadline. This is a substantive environmental regulation focused on reducing emissions from a specific fuel source.
S 5007, the "Dark Skies Protection Act," requires all outdoor lighting fixtures (including those on homes, businesses, and public spaces) to be shielded by January 1, 2028, to reduce light pollution. The law aims to protect the night sky for wildlife, safety, and energy conservation while exempting essential uses like airport lighting, emergency services, and certain safety-focused fixtures. Municipalities may adopt stricter rules than the state law, and property owners face civil penalties for noncompliance (up to $1,000 for commercial properties after repeated violations). The bill directly affects all property owners and businesses using outdoor lighting across the state.
Bill S 6595 establishes a property tax abatement program for owners of certain buildings in cities with populations of one million or more. This program incentivizes the installation of "facility-integrated carbon-to-value equipment" designed to capture, remove, or beneficially use carbon dioxide emissions. Eligible property owners can receive an abatement for a compliance period of up to eight years, calculated as the lesser of 5% of eligible equipment expenditures, the taxes payable, or $100,000 annually (with a potential maximum of $800,000). The equipment must demonstrate a net reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, and specific restrictions apply, including for certain boiler systems and locations within environmental justice areas.
Establishes a comprehensive electric vehicle fast charging station implementation plan; requires the New York state energy and research development authority to further establish a "Fast Charge NY working group" to develop such plan; makes related provisions.
This bill prohibits gas companies from charging customers for repair, inspection, maintenance, or damage remedies related to gas equipment or personal property. It directly affects gas company customers by eliminating these specific service fees. The key provision amends the public service law to state that gas corporations "shall not make or impose an additional charge" for these services, except in limited cases like denied inspections or meter tampering. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Bill A-154 provides a 100% real property tax exemption for agricultural lands used to grow bio-energy crops (specifically crops for cellulosic ethanol processing) for alternative fuel. It directly affects farmers who produce these designated crops, exempting their land from local taxes (village, town, city, county, or school district) based on assessed value. To qualify, landowners must submit proof to the taxing authority showing compliance, and applications must be filed by the taxable status date. The exemption expires five years after the law takes effect.
Directs state agencies to adopt an embodied carbon decarbonization program; requires the office of general services to continue to issue operational directives and guidance for common construction materials to reduce the amount of embodied carbon in such materials.
Enacts the "responsible renewable energy recycling act" to require manufacturers of solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries to collect such materials when they are taken out of use; requires educational outreach relating thereto; establishes collection goals therefor; requires reporting of collection efforts.
