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Committee pre-files resolutions supporting a utility tax holiday amendment and opposing state preemption for battery storage siting
Summary
The Economic Development & Energy Committee voted to pre-file a memorialization supporting Senator Rolison's proposed one-year suspension of certain utility charges and to pre-file a resolution opposing Senate Bill S5506 and Assembly Bill A8378, which members said would shift battery storage permitting from local planning boards to state authorities.
The Putnam County Economic Development & Energy Committee on April 27 approved motions to pre-file two resolutions: a memorialization urging support for Senator Rolison’s proposed one-year suspension of certain utility-related charges and a separate resolution opposing Senate Bill S5506 and Assembly Bill A8378, which committee members said would transfer permitting authority for large battery storage projects from local planning boards to the state.
"Senator Rolison added an amendment to a bill that would give a tax holiday on utility bills," Legislator Gouldman said, asking the committee to forward a memorialization so residents’ concerns about high utility bills can be sent to state lawmakers. Gouldman described the amendment as suspending a suite of charges — including gross receipts and certain assessment charges — for one year to reduce bills.
Legislator D’Angelo thanked Gouldman and said he was troubled that state Democrats "refuse to do anything to address the cost of living and cost of energy right now," and said he would like the county also to urge reopening Indian Point as a means to lower energy costs. Legislator Crowley said rising electric bills force some residents to choose between medication and utilities.
On the second item, Legislator Sayegh presented a resolution opposing S5506 and A8378, saying the bills would allow developers to bypass local planning boards and site battery storage facilities in or near residential areas. "It’s a dangerous setup in a residential area," she said, and added she had arranged a meeting with the developer and the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services to review emergency-response readiness and concluded the town and county are "not ready for this." Cassandra Roth, chairwoman of the Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District, told the committee such projects can dig deep into farmland and leave land unusable when projects fail.
Both motions were seconded and recorded as "All in favor." The committee did not record individual roll-call votes in the transcript; both actions were described as pre-filing motions to bring resolutions to the full Legislature for consideration.
Next steps: the two pre-filed resolutions will be prepared for submission to the full Putnam County Legislature and, if filed by the county, will be circulated to state lawmakers as a local position on those bills and the Senator’s amendment.
