Establishes the green jobs-green New York act of 2009 and establishes the Green Jobs-Green New York fund

Summary of Specific Provisions:

Section one:

*Provides definitions for the Green Jobs/ Green New York program.

*Authorizes NYSERDA to establish the Green Jobs/Green New York Program by implementing a demonstration program to provide funding for the performance of energy audits and energy-efficient retrofits for residen- tial, small business, and not-for-profit property owners in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower housing costs, support communi- ty development and create green jobs to sustain and enhance our economy.

*Requires NYSERDA to establish innovative financing mechanisms such as on-bill financing that allow consumers to pay for these improvements through energy savings over a period of time.

*Requires: selection of target communities for the program through a competitive process and requires applicants to include local community groups in collaboration with contractors, local utilities, including LIPA and NYPA and labor and training organizations; geographic diversi- ty; and, criteria for awards to include preferences to coalitions that include women and minority based businesses and groups based in econom- ically distressed communities.

*Provides $112 million of capital funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), $70 million of which will be for a Green Jobs- Green New York revolving loan fund designed to commit resources fully during this phase with no less than 50 percent of capital monies going to residential retrofits.

*Provides $2-4 million of RGGI funds to be used to establish green job training throughout the state to establish a green workforce for the 21st century and requires the NYS Department of Labor to work with NYSERDA to development additional training resources.

*Establishes a Green Jobs/Green New York advisory council to advise NYSERDA on the creation and implementation of the program.

*Requires NYSERDA to submit an annual report to the Governor, the Tempo- rary President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Minority Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Assembly concerning the authorities activities related to the Green Jobs-Green New York program.

Section 2 requires NYSERDA to establish rules and regulations to govern the program.

Section 3 requires DEC to deposit $112 million of RGGI funds into the Green Jobs/Green New York fund.

Section 4 establishes the Green Jobs/Green New York fund in the joint custody of the Comptroller and the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance.

Justification: Promoting widespread dissemination of energy conserva- tion and clean energy technologies represents a clear and cost-effective pathway for communities in New York State to curtail emissions of green- house gases and harmful air contaminants, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower housing costs, support community development and create green jobs to sustain and enhance our economy. Installation of energy efficiency improvements to reduce the loss or waste of energy is a prov- en method that can pay for itself over reasonable time periods. Howev- er, lack of affordable and accessible financing for many owners of resi- dential properties, small businesses and non-profit organizations has hindered progress in fully realizing the promise of these technologies. By enacting a "Green Jobs/Green New York" program, the state will authorize the performance of energy-efficient retrofits at no initial cost to residential property owners, with an ultimate goal of improving at least one million residential units over the next five years, and demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative financing mechanisms in reaching this goal.

Prior Legislative History: 2009: New

Fiscal Implications for State and Local Governments: $112 million of capital funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

Effective Date: This act shall take effect immediately.