Provides that the New York state energy research and development authority shall provide information to residential and commercial consumers on renewable energy technology incentive and affordability programs

S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
        ________________________________________________________________________

                                          8717

                                    I N  S E N A T E

                                     January 7, 2026
                                       ___________

        Introduced  by  Sen. HINCHEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on  Energy  and  Telecommuni-
          cations

        AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the provision
          of information relating to renewable energy technologies and programs

          THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
        BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

     1    Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 1912  of  the  public  authorities
     2  law,  as  amended by chapter 106 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read
     3  as follows:
     4    1. Developing and  enhancing  a  community  education  and  engagement
     5  program  to inform New Yorkers about the climate crisis and the benefits
     6  of shifting to a clean energy economy and conducting outreach, providing
     7  information and education, and building consensus on  the  environmental
     8  and  local  benefits  of  renewable  energy technologies. Such strategic
     9  education and outreach shall include:
    10    (a) Effective communication, engagement and public outreach to  commu-
    11  nities,  including  disadvantaged  communities, to provide education and
    12  information on maximizing the benefits that renewable  energy  technolo-
    13  gies  can  provide while demonstrating strategies and solutions that are
    14  available to ensure that community benefits are meaningful and  negative
    15  impacts are avoided, reduced, or mitigated.  SUCH EDUCATION AND INFORMA-
    16  TION  SHALL  INCLUDE  THE  PROVISION  OF  INFORMATION TO RESIDENTIAL AND
    17  COMMERCIAL CONSUMERS REGARDING CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INCENTIVE AND AFFORD-
    18  ABILITY PROGRAMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO  HOME  ENERGY  EFFICIENCY
    19  PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMS THAT INCREASE HOME ACCESS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY;
    20    (b) Comprehensive education and outreach to local governments that may
    21  host  renewable  energy  technologies  to  provide objective information
    22  about the impacts of renewable energy development and mitigation  oppor-
    23  tunities; [and]
    24    (c)  Facilitation of forums for communities, regions, renewable energy
    25  developers, and other stakeholders to exchange  information  and  ensure
    26  that all have access to the factual information necessary to support the

         EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD14100-02-5
        S. 8717                             2

     1  appropriate  siting  of  facilities  and  acceptance of renewable energy
     2  technologies[.]; AND
     3    (D) METHODS OF PUBLIC OUTREACH WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED
     4  TO:  BROCHURES  AND  POSTERS  TO  BE DISTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND
     5  OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS; USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, INTERNET, RADIO, NEWSPA-
     6  PERS, AND PRINT ADVERTISING; USE OF TELEVISION ADVERTISING; AND RECRUIT-
     7  MENT OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE AS VISIBLE PUBLIC AMBASSADORS.
     8    § 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided,  however,  that
     9  the  amendments  to subdivision 1 of section 1912 of the public authori-
    10  ties law made by section one of this act shall not affect the repeal  of
    11  such section and shall be deemed repealed therewith.