What's happening
This bill prohibits utility companies from charging residential consumers more than 25 cents per month for zero emissions credit costs related to nuclear facilities.
Why it matters
Caps a specific fee. By strictly limiting the monthly zero emissions credit (ZEC) charge tied to nuclear power to 25 cents, this bill directly reduces a cost that utilities have been passing onto residential customers, potentially saving money for millions of households.
Direct consumer relief. The measure addresses public concern that state-level clean energy subsidies—specifically those for nuclear plants—are being funded disproportionately by residential ratepayers, rather than being shared more broadly or funded through other mechanisms.
Limits future surcharges. By enshrining a hard cap regardless of changes in state policy or the cost of supporting nuclear facilities, the bill could prevent future increases in these charges even if the cost of ZEC programs rises.
Sets a precedent. This legislation might influence debates about how clean energy initiatives are funded, potentially prompting similar limits on other types of utility surcharges or in other states, especially where utility costs and energy policy are politically sensitive.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cap Green Energy Surcharges
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to energy
- Referred to energy
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Cap Zero Emission Charges
In Senate Committee · Energy And Telecommunications · Sponsor Michael Gianaris
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3211
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ, PAULIN, ENGLEBRIGHT, BARRON, CAHILL, BRAUNSTEIN, FAHY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Energy
AN ACT relating to prohibiting certain charges to residential consumers in connection with the purchase of zero emissions credits
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any other law, rule, regulation, or order, no public utility company, the New York Power Authority, or the Long Island Power Authority shall charge a residential consumer more than 25 cents per month for costs related to the purchase of zero emissions credit from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or any other entity, and associated with the continued operation of nuclear powered generating facility or facilities.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01257-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.