Senate energy committee refers six energy bills to finance, third reading and the floor

Senators on the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications moved six bills to further consideration on procedural votes during a committee meeting that opened with Sen. Kevin Parker.

The measures referred provisions on a Green Affordable Electrification Program, electrifying the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, apprenticeship requirements for contractors on renewable energy projects, temporary limits on utility rate recovery, an alternative EV-charging allocation method for new parking, and a study of a Brooklyn peaker electric-generating facility. Committee members moved the bills to the Finance Committee, to third reading, or to the Senate floor as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Bill 33-15, sponsored by Sen. Gonzales, would amend the Public Authorities Law to establish a Green Affordable Electrification Program. The committee moved the bill to the Finance Committee. Two members recorded "nay" votes during the vote on referral, but the committee had sufficient support to send the bill to finance.

Bill 36-63, sponsored by Sens. Hoyle and Siegel, would authorize electrification of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal and repeal the provision on expiration. Committee members moved the bill to the Finance Committee; the transcript records procedural confirmation that the referral carried.

Bill 48-81, sponsored by Sen. Garcelle Spence, would amend the Labor Law to require contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to use apprenticeship agreements. A member recorded a "without recommendation" on the bill; the committee moved the measure to third reading.

Bill 55-93, identified in the transcript as sponsored by "Center Mayor," would amend the Public Service Law to temporarily suspend the operation of certain utility rates, charges or other charges and limit retroactive revenue recovery by utilities during such periods. The committee moved the bill to third reading; no recorded full tally was provided in the transcript.

Bill 72-83 (listed in the transcript with sponsor text including "Moss Center Parker") would amend the Energy Law to allow new buildings that provide new parking an optional, charge-agnostic, power-based allocation alternative to certain EV-charging infrastructure requirements. The measure was referred to the Finance Committee; the transcript records at least one member registering a "nay" and another registering "without recommendation."

Bill 79-23, sponsored by Sen. Gonzales, would direct the Public Service Commission and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to study the possibility of closing a peaker electric generating facility in Brooklyn and includes a sunset provision. The committee moved this bill to the Senate floor. At least one member voiced opposition during the discussion recorded in the transcript.

The meeting concluded after the committee clerk confirmed the motions and referrals and the chairman announced the calendar concluded and adjourned the meeting.