What's happening
This bill creates a zero-interest revolving loan fund for NYCHA to build solar microgrids, funded by energy bill surcharges and other sources.
Why it matters
Enables NYCHA to build and own its own solar microgrids. , which could increase local energy reliability and resilience for public housing residents, particularly during outages or emergencies.
Ties microgrid planning to anticipated higher electricity needs. from climate-driven policies (like electrifying heating/cooking), ensuring the solar systems are sized for future demand rather than current usage.
Expands the role of private, investor-owned utilities. by allowing them to build, own, or operate these solar/battery systems for NYCHA—potentially bringing in outside expertise or resources, but also raising questions about public vs. private ownership of energy assets.
Creates a funding stream through energy bill surcharges and RGGI funds. , meaning NYCHA residents and potentially all NYC ratepayers may help finance these upgrades, which could have equity and affordability implications.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Solar Loans for NYCHA Homes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8200
IN SENATE
April 15, 2020
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 authorities law and the energy law, in relation to creating a revolving loan fund through the New York state energy research and development authority for the purpose of building renewable solar energy systems scaled to function as microgrids to power housing owned by the New York city housing authority
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 "NYCHA solar microgrids development and revolving loan act".
§ 2. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1879-a to read as follows:
§ 1879-a. NYCHA solar microgrid loan. 1. The authority is hereby authorized and directed to establish a revolving loan fund in order to provide zero-percent interest loans for the construction and installation of renewable solar energy systems scaled to function as microgrids for housing owned by the New York city housing authority. Such microgrid systems funded through this section shall be constructed with consideration given to increasing the demand for electricity caused by the adoption of "beneficial electrification" policies proposed pursuant to the climate leadership and community protection act. Such loans shall be funded from moneys made available pursuant to appropriations by the authority, and other sources including funds from the regional greenhouse gas initiative (RGGI).
2. Notwithstanding any policies, practices, or orders by the public service commission, investor-owned utilities subject to regulation under the public service law may construct, manage or own the solar projects and battery or other technology storage systems funded through the loans developed under this section.
3. Notwithstanding any policies, practices, or orders by the public service commission, if excess energy is generated through the systems,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16122-02-0
S. 8200 2
this excess energy generated may be sold to New York city at the avoided cost of generation.
§ 3. Section 6-104 of the energy law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. The state energy plan shall include provisions for allowing a surcharge of up to two percent on energy bills, for the New York city housing authority to provide funds or repay loans to the New York state energy research and development authority for the installation of microgrids as utility scale renewables for housing owned by the New York city housing authority pursuant to section eighteen hundred seventy-nine-a of the public authorities law.
§ 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 authorities law and the energy law, in relation to creating a revolving loan fund through the New York state energy research and development authority for the purpose of building renewable solar energy systems scaled to function as microgrids to power housing owned by the New York city housing authority
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to fund the creation of sources of energy for housing owned by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), by having the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provide a revolving loan fund for the installation of solar microgrids on NYCHA-owned housing.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 titles the bill the "NYCHA Solar Microgrids Development and Revolving Loan Act".
Section 2 amends the public authorities law adding a new section 1879-A.
Section 3 amends Section 6-104 of the energy law by adding a new subdi- vision 6.
Section 4 sets for the effective date.
Justification
Residents within housing owned by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) have had to face unreliable sources of power, including complete outages during hot summer days leaving many with no access to air-condi- tioning. NYCHA needs to have reliable access to energy for its resi- dents, and this legislation allows the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to aid with installing reliable solar microgrids to provide such energy.
In addition to providing reliable electricity to NYCHA, these solar microgrids aid in the beneficial electrification provisions of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. As such, the installa- tion of these microgrids help aid in New York's initiatives for dras- tically reducing greenhouse emissions by 2030. This legislation ensures NYCHA residents have efficient and reliable sources of energy for their needs, while also supporting New York's green future.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.