Senate energy committee advances slate of bills after debate over EV infrastructure cost shift and battery safety concerns

The New York State Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, chaired by State Senator Kevin Parker, advanced a package of energy-related bills after members debated whether to shift some costs for electric vehicle charging infrastructure to ratepayers and raised concerns about battery storage safety and other energy delivery issues.

The most contested item was bill number 98 (sponsor: Senator Conry), which would amend the Public Service Law to treat some "make-ready" electrical infrastructure costs for EV charging as recoverable through utility rates in certain areas. Committee members debated how much of those costs would be borne by utilities and by private developers and how the rule would apply in and around disadvantaged communities. After discussion the committee moved the bill forward to a third reading; the record shows at least one member registered a "without recommendation" and two members voted "no."

Why it matters: the bill changes who pays to prepare…