Authorizes the New York state energy research and development authority to develop a temporary middle income home energy assistance program

3 Co-sponsors

• Carl Kruger
• George Onorato
• Bill Perkins

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to authorizing the New York state energy research and development authority to develop a temporary middle income home energy assistance program and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

To establish a program which will provide home heating fuel assistance to middle-income families who would otherwise not qualify under the State/Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Summary of provisions

Section one of the legislation establishes, within the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), and with the assistance of the Department of Taxation and Finance, the Temporary Middle Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Section two enacts the legislation immediately and sunsets the program on April 1, 2011.

Existing law

This is a new program. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, after which this program is modeled, is established in Social Services Law §97. LIHEAP is administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, is federally-funded, and has income eligibility criteria.

Justification

Energy costs have nearly doubled since last year; and the next big blow from high energy prices could come in the dead of winter. The winter of 08-'09 will be one of the costliest ever for all New York families - trying to heat their homes, buy food and medicine, drive their cars and trucks to work. Averting a catastrophe is imperative. And by providing a State-funded Middle Income Home Energy Assistance program we are delivering immediate help on an emergency basis to middle-income families. The plan will give an average benefit of $350 for families of four making between $45,000 and $63,699, and an average benefit of $250 for families of four making between $63,700 and $84,800. The program will be funded through proceeds from carbon permits auctioned as part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Legislative history

2008: S.8757A

Fiscal implications

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative cap and trade auction is estimated to return to New York State upwards of $300 million. $285 million of the auction proceeds will pay for the extended benefits program to deal with this winter's pending heating crisis.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed April 1, 2011.