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Senate energy committee advances package of utility and energy bills; most measures move to third reading
Summary
The committee advanced a set of utility and energy bills — including measures on shutoffs during extreme temperatures (S.120A), investigation moratoria (S.904B), NYSERDA reporting (S.8019), and the Just Energy Transition study/order (S.5111) — most to third reading; several measures will be referred to other committees or held for amendment.
The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications considered a series of bills affecting utilities, consumer protections and energy programs and advanced most measures to third reading.
Notable committee actions and outcomes recorded in the meeting:
- S.120A (sponsor: Senator Claire) — would prohibit residential utility shutoffs during National Weather Service forecasts above 90°F or below 32°F. Outcome: advanced to third reading.
- S.904B (sponsor: Senator Gonzales) — would bar shutoffs while a utility is under investigation and suspend late fees/penalties for 120 days after an investigation concludes. Outcome: advanced to third reading.
- S.1553 (sponsor: Senator Parker) — net energy metering provisions for customer generators. Outcome: advanced to third reading.
- S.1668 (sponsor: Senator Hartman) — authorizes NYSERDA to administer grants for residential heat-pump conversions; committee recorded questions about which funds would be used; outcome: advanced to third reading.
- S.4989 (sponsor: Senator Hartman) — would require utilities to disclose planned rate increases to consumers; outcome: referred to the Consumer Protection Committee.
- S.5111 (sponsor: Senator Parker) — Just Energy Transition Act directing PSC/authorities on 4 GW fossil generation removal and requiring a study; outcome: advanced to third reading (members raised sequencing and scope questions).
- S.7869, S.8019, S.8710, S.8908 and S.9433A — presented and, in committee, advanced to third reading or otherwise noted (details: text and committee action recorded). Several bills had minimal on-record debate and were moved or properly referred.
Vote counts and roll-call tallies were not consistently documented in the transcript for each item; where the transcript recorded a formal motion the committee recorded advancement to third reading. The committee held S.2477 for possible amendments.
