What's happening
This bill sets new renewable energy goals for New York, requiring 80% renewable electricity by 2053, with interim targets in 2023 and 2033.
Why it matters
Commits the state to long-term decarbonization. By setting a legally binding 80% renewable electricity target for 2053, the bill signals to utilities, investors, and industry that New York is serious about phasing out fossil fuels and creating a predictable path for energy sector transformation.
Creates accountability through interim benchmarks. The 37.5% by 2023 and 50% by 2033 milestones require regular progress checks, making it harder for future administrations to delay action or backslide on clean energy development.
Mandates proactive state oversight. By directing the Public Service Commission to actively pursue policies and targets aligned with these goals, the bill ensures that energy regulators are responsible for driving the transition, not merely setting aspirational targets.
Strengthens New York’s market for renewable energy. Clear, ambitious targets can attract new investment, innovation, and job creation in the renewable sector, while also reducing reliance on out-of-state fossil fuel imports and improving energy security.
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Who cares
Public Service Commission
The bill would require the commission to pursue policies and targets consistent with renewable energy goals of 37.5 percent by 2023, 50 percent by 2033 and 80 percent by 2053 of New York’s projected total electrical energy load.
Renewable energy developers
The bill would establish statutory renewable energy goals relevant to planning new generation projects in New York.
Fossil-fuel electricity generators
The bill would direct state policy toward a larger renewable share of New York’s projected electrical energy load, potentially affecting demand for fossil-fired generation.
Headline styles
Increase Renewable Energy Goals
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2862
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 17, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to enacting the "New York Renewable Portfolio Standard Act of 2017"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New York Renewable Portfolio Standard Act of 2017".
§ 2. Legislative intent and findings. The renewable portfolio standard (RPS) has been New York's primary policy initiative to promote the development of new renewable energy resources since it was established in 2004. The 2002 state energy plan warned of the possible consequences of New York's fossil fuel dependency, noting that the state's primary sources of energy have significant long-term environmental effects and ultimately face depletion. In establishing the renewable portfolio standard, the public service commission recognized these concerns, among others, and stated they were concerned with the effects on our climate of fossil-fired generation and the security implications of importing from out of state much of the fuel needed to supply New York's electricity needs.
§ 3. Section 5 of the public service law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7 to read as follows:
7. a. For the purpose of this subdivision the term "renewable portfolio standard" means the renewable energy policy established by the department.
b. The renewable portfolio standard for the state shall include a goal for renewable resources of 37.5 percent by the year two thousand twenty-three of New York's projected total electrical energy load.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07402-01-7
S. 2862 2
c. The renewable portfolio standard for the state shall include a goal for renewable resources of fifty percent by the year two thousand thirty-three of New York's projected total electrical energy load.
d. The renewable portfolio standard for the state shall include a goal for renewable resources of eighty percent by the year two thousand fifty-three of New York's projected total electrical energy load.
e. The public service commission shall pursue policies and targets consistent with the renewable portfolio standard goals set forth in this chapter.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to enacting the "New York Renewable Portfolio Standard Act of 2017"
Purpose
To deepen the State of New York's commitment to promotion of the development of new renewable energy generation resources.
Summary of provisions
Section One of the bill is the short title. Section Two creates the legislative intent.
Section Three provides for codification of the renewable portfolio standard and establishes specific goals.
Section provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
New York's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) is the state's primary policy tool to promote the development and use of new renewable energy generation resources. For reasons encompassing the effects of climate-change driven storm and other extreme weather events upon the state, and to shore up New York's energy independence, the Public Service Commission established the RPS in 2004, and subsequent governors and legislatures have supported the policy and from time to time, increased the policy's goals.
It has become clear that the state of New York's economy would be improved by creating a domestic renewable energy manufacturing and/or research and development industry. One way to do so is by increasing the state's use of renewable energy and setting a goal reasonably calculated to send market signals to solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal, biomass and other alternative and renewal energy producers and manufacturers, incentivizing them to locate production facilities in New York.
Legislative history
2015: S.2893A - Amend and Recommit to Energy and Telecommunications 2014: S.7526 - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.