What's happening
This bill makes the Long Island Power Authority subject to the Freedom of Information Law and requires full public disclosure of third-party power purchase agreements.
Why it matters
Increases transparency and public oversight. By making the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) fully subject to the Freedom of Information Law, the public, media, and watchdog groups gain new access to internal records, which could expose inefficiencies, policy decisions, or issues previously shielded from scrutiny.
Directly affects ratepayers and local communities. Full disclosure of third-party power purchase agreements means that residents and businesses served by LIPA can see the exact terms, costs, and parties involved in electricity procurement, impacting their trust in utility operations and possibly influencing public debate about rates and energy sourcing.
Limits LIPA’s ability to withhold contracts. The bill explicitly bars LIPA from using standard exemptions (such as "trade secrets" or "competitive advantage") to keep these agreements secret, setting a precedent for broader openness compared to many other public authorities and utilities in New York.
Could influence contract negotiations and market behavior. Knowing that all agreements will be publicly accessible may affect how LIPA and power suppliers negotiate terms, potentially leading to more standardized, competitive, or publicly justifiable contracts in the future.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Open LIPA Power Contracts
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
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.
Open LIPA Contract Records
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 5055 A. 7052
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
April 4, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the applicability of the freedom of information law to the Long Island Power Authority and the disclosure of third party power purchase agreements
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Sections 1020-kk, 1020-ll and 1020-ll of the public authorities law, 1020-kk and 1020-ll as renumbered by chapter 520 of the laws of 2018, and 1020-ll as renumbered by chapter 415 of the laws of 2017, are renumbered sections 1020-xx, 1020-yy and 1020-zz and a new section 1020-kk is added to read as follows:
§ 1020-kk. Authority subject to freedom of information law. 1. The authority shall be subject to the provisions of article six of the public officers law relating to the freedom of information law.
2. Power purchase agreements with third parties shall be subject to full disclosure. The authority shall make such contracts available for public inspection and copying. The authority shall not determine that such agreements are exempt from disclosure in full or in part, pursuant to paragraph (d) of subdivision two of section eighty-seven of the public officers law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10428-01-9
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 authorities law, in relation to the applica- bility of the freedom of information law to the Long Island Power Authority and the disclosure of third party power purchase agreements
Purpose
Subjects Long Island Power Authority's (LIPA) third party power purchase agreements to the Freedom of Information Law.
Summary of provisions
Amends the Public Authorities Law to provide that LIPA shall be subject to the provisions of Article six of the Public Officers Law relating to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).
Justification
As New York continues to move toward a renewable energy future, it is important that the companies involved with the construction of the facilities are sensitive to the community's concerns and a good steward of the natural resources. The public must be aware of how the investment costs and terms of the power purchase agreement will affect their indi- vidual electric bill. As efforts increase to meet the goals of New York's Clean Energy Standard, it is imperative that the best interests of the public be served through an open and transparent process.
Legislative history
2019: New Legislation
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.