Create Renewable Energy Lab

Section 1. Legislative findings. New York state is committed to expanding and advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce out of state dependency on fossil fuels, promote public health and create new jobs. The goal of this act is to make the state of New York a national and global leader in renewable energy research and development.

§ 2. For purposes of this act "NYREL" means the New York renewable energy laboratory.

§ 3. (a) The New York state energy research and development authority shall undertake to establish, through public and private partnerships, which shall include New York based colleges and universities, private businesses, and not-for-profit entities, a NYREL to be headquartered near JFK International Airport in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. Such laboratory shall be an independent not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the state of New York. It shall be governed by a board of directors which shall have seventeen members.

(b) Such board shall include:

(i) one member appointed by the chancellor of the city university of New York (CUNY);

(ii) one member appointed by the chancellor of the state university of New York (SUNY);

(iii) four members appointed by the governor; one of whom shall be appointed by the governor to be the chair;

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD11884-01-9

S. 6058 2

(iv) two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate;

(v) two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly;

(vi) the president of the New York state energy research and development authority;

(vii) the president of empire state development;

(viii) the president of the New York power authority;

(ix) the president of the Long Island power authority;

(x) the commissioner of the department of environmental conservation;

(xi) the commissioner of the department of transportation; and

(xii) the chair of the New York public service commission.

(c) The New York state energy research and development authority shall work with collaborating businesses and educational institutions to ensure that a cooperative working relationship is established between those institutions and potential participants of such research institute so that resources are made available and used in a responsible manner to support the successful development of the proposed research laboratory and the creation of ongoing linkages between the training, research, development, demonstration and technology transfer resources of the region's higher education institutions, and private sector businesses.

(d) The mission of NYREL is to develop renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advance related science and engineering, create jobs, promote economic development and manufacturing, and transfer knowledge and innovations to address the state's energy and environmental goals. NYREL shall emphasize a comprehensive energy approach that encompasses the relationship among key systems: fuel production; transportation; the built environment; and electricity generation and delivery. Areas of research and development shall include but not be limited to the following: solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, energy storage, energy efficiency, hydropower, biofuel, smart grids and alternative transportation, including electric vehicles. NYREL shall have an education and training component. NYREL shall include a goal to recruit minority students, scientists, engineers and MWBEs in its programs.

(e) NYREL shall seek to develop partnerships especially with CUNY and SUNY campuses in Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Albany, Binghamton, Hudson Valley, Long Island and the city of New York.

§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.