Issues: Energy

The New York State Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senator George D. Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) that would help encourage the installation of renewable energy technologies by making them more cost efficient and accessible. 

The bill (S1111) would add solar, wind, fuel cells, micro-hydro-electric, farm-based biogas and residential Micro Combined Heat and Power (micro-CHP) to current state financing initiatives that help make energy efficiency upgrades more attractive to potential consumers, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and support job growth in the clean energy sector.

A Fiscally Responsible Approach to Job Creation

Senate Republican Conference Leader Dean Skelos and members of the Senate Republican conference today announced a bold and sweeping job creation plan to improve New York’s business climate so it not only keeps up with other states, but surpasses them. Among other things, the “Senate Republican Blueprint for Jobs: ReThink. ReVitalize. ReBuild.” would cut taxes for one million small businesses and reduce energy costs for every business and residential ratepayer in New York, saving them $2.5 billion.

The NYS Department of Financial Services (DFS) is setting new rules to speed the processing of insurance claims in areas affected by Storm Sandy. The new regulation reduces the amount of time an insurer can delay its decision on a claim, and requires insurers to report to the Department on how many claims it is delaying and the reasons for the delays.

Ithaca, February 20--The Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council (STREDC) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) recently announced that Cornell University has been awarded $616,000 in state funding to advance energy efficiency projects and studies to support the university's short- and long-term goals to reduce energy consumption and become a climate-neutral campus.

Senator Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) has signed onto the Senate GOP’s letter urging the removal of the proposed extension of the utility tax surcharge from the Executive Budget. In 2009, former Governor Paterson enacted a tax surcharge on electric, gas, steam and non-municipal water services that has cost taxpayers almost $2.5 billion over the last four years. The 18-a assessment – which has increased utility bills for nearly every taxpayer in the state – is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2014. 

Surcharge set to expire March 2014
Executive budget calls for 5-year extension
Businesses, consumers to pay $3 billion more in taxes

Albany, N.Y. – State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer (R, C, I – Amherst) has announced his opposition to a five-year extension of the 18-a surcharge as proposed in the Executive Budget.  The energy tax surcharge is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2014.  

 Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) joined his colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference and leaders of statewide business organizations to urge Governor Andrew Cuomo to remove the proposed extension of the utility tax surcharge from his Executive Budget.  The surcharge, which has increased utility bills for every ratepayer in the state, is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2014.  The Governor’s proposed five-year extension would cost businesses and consumers a total of almost $3 billion.