NY State Senate Bill 2019-S3776

Senate Bill S3776

2019-2020 Legislative Session

Enacts the "Long Island public school solar and geothermal act" to provide funding to public schools located within Nassau or Suffolk county for solar panels and ground source heat pump systems; appropriation

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 08, 2020	referred to finance
May 17, 2019	print number 3776a
May 17, 2019	amend and recommit to finance
Feb 14, 2019	referred to finance

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2019-S3776 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Appropriations
Laws Affected:: Amd §1854, Pub Auth L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S157

2019-S3776 - Summary

Enacts the "Long Island public school solar and geothermal act" to provide funding to public schools located within Nassau or Suffolk county for the purchase and installation of solar panels and ground source heat pump systems; makes an appropriation therefor.

2019-S3776 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S3776

SPONSOR: KAPLAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to enacting the
"Long Island public school solar and geothermal act"; and making an
appropriation therefor

 
PURPOSE:

This legislation creates the Long Island Public School Solar and Geoth-
ermal Act, known as LIPSSGA. Specifically $10 million is appropriated
and made available to fifty school districts located within Nassau and
Suffolk Counties for the installation of solar panels or ground source
heat pumps.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Names this act as the Long Island Public School Solar and
Geothermal Act.

Section 2 makes grants of $200,000 available to 50 public school
districts in Nassau and Suffolk County. This funding is to be used for
the purchase and installation of photovoltaic solar panels, or ground
source heat pump systems. To qualify for funding for the installation of
solar panels a plan shall be submitted detailing how the school district
intends to cover a minimum of 50% of a school district's suitable roof
space that is eligible for building aid.  This section also states that
grants shall be made available for a period of thirty months from the
successful application of a school district.

Section 3 allocates $10,000,000 to the New York State Energy Research
and Development Fund (NYSERDA).

Section 4 is the effective date of April 1, 2019.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

One megawatt of energy generated by solar panels can power 150-165 homes
on average and prevent about 1,000 tons of CO2 from entering the atmos-
phere. Investment in solar panels pay for themselves over a period of
15-20 years and then return a positive funding stream. Global heat pump
systems, more commonly known as geothermal systems handle all of the
heating and cooling of the building they are associated with and would
significantly reduce the energy costs of a school district. Reports show
that geothermal systems save between 30-70% of heating costs and 20%-50%
for cooling costs.

This legislation seeks to help incentivize Long Island schools to
install either solar or geothermal energy systems. Beyond the positive
environmental impact and cost savings the installation of these renewa-
ble energy sources there is a unique opportunity for STEM education
specifically designed around solar and geothermal energy.  As Long
Island schools struggle to stretch every dollar, this legislation would
save school districts money on their energy costs.

Climate change is real and occurring now, as a State we must look at
innovative ways to harness and expand our renewable energy footprint.
With over 30 million square feet of rooftops available in Long Island
School Districts, and the untapped potential of geothermal energy.  The
ability to harness this clean renewable energy is significant and should
be explored.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

$10 million.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect April 1, 2019.

2019-S3776 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   3776
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 14, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  KAPLAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
 
 AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to enacting  the
   "Long  Island  public  school solar and geothermal act"; and making an
   appropriation therefor

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  This  act  shall  be  known and may be cited as the "Long
 Island public school solar and geothermal act".
   § 2. Section 1854 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a
 new subdivision 22 to read as follows:
   22. A. TO MAKE GRANTS FROM AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR,  IN  AMOUNTS
 OF  TWO  HUNDRED  THOUSAND  DOLLARS,  TO  FIFTY  PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS
 LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU OR THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, TO PROVIDE
 SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION  OF
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS OR GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS WITHIN SUCH
 DISTRICT. GRANTS SHALL BE MADE UPON APPLICATION BY SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICTS
 TO THE AUTHORITY IN A MANNER AND FORM TO BE DETERMINED BY THE AUTHORITY.
 IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC
 SOLAR  PANELS  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  SUCH  APPLICATION SHALL
 INCLUDE A PLAN PROPOSED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVIDING FOR THE INSTAL-
 LATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS ON A MINIMUM  OF  FIFTY  PERCENT  OF
 SUCH  SCHOOL DISTRICT'S SUITABLE ROOF SPACE ON BUILDINGS THAT ARE ELIGI-
 BLE FOR STATE BUILDING AID.  GRANTS SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD
 OF THIRTY MONTHS FROM THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
   B. NO SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT RECEIVES A GRANT PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF
 THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE  SUBJECT TO A REDUCTION IN STATE EDUCATION AID
 DUE TO MONEYS SAVED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A RESULT OF LOWER  UTILITY
 COSTS RESULTING FROM THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR
 PANELS  OR  GROUND  SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS PURSUANT TO  PARAGRAPH A OF
 THIS SUBDIVISION.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD07042-09-9

 S. 3776                             2
 
   § 3. The sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000), or so much  thereof
 as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the New York state energy
 research and development authority from any moneys in the state treasury
 in  the  general  fund  to the credit of the state purposes account, not
 otherwise  appropriated, for the purposes of carrying out the provisions
 of section two of this act. Such sum shall be payable on the  audit  and
 warrant  of  the  state comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by
 the New York state energy research and  development  authority,  or  its
 duly designated representative in the manner provided by law.
   § 4. This act shall take effect April 1, 2019.

2019-S3776A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Appropriations
Laws Affected:: Amd §1854, Pub Auth L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S157

2019-S3776A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S3776A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S3776A

SPONSOR: KAPLAN
 
PURPOSE:

This legislation creates the Long Island Public School Solar and Geoth-
ermal Act, known as LIPSSGA. Specifically $10 million is appropriated
and made available to fifty school districts located within Nassau and
Suffolk Counties for the installation of solar panels or ground source
heat pumps.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Names this act as the Long Island Public School Solar and
Geothermal Act.

Section 2 makes grants of $200,000 available to 50 public school
districts in Nassau and Suffolk County. This funding is to be used for
the purchase and installation of photovoltaic solar panels, or ground
source heat pump systems. To qualify for funding for the installation of
solar panels a plan shall be submitted detailing how the school district
intends to cover a minimum of 50% of a school district's suitable roof

space that is eligible for building aid. This section also states that
grants shall be made available for a period of thirty months from the
successful application of a school district.

Section 3 allocates $10,000,000 to the New York State Energy Research
and Development Fund (NYSERDA).

Section 4 is the effective date of April 1, 2019.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

One megawatt of energy generated by solar panels can power 150-165 homes
on average and prevent about 1,000 tons of CO2 from entering the atmos-
phere. Investment in solar panels pay for themselves over a period of
15-20 years and then return a positive funding stream. Global heat pump
systems, more commonly known as geothermal systems handle all of the
heating and cooling of the building they are associated with and would
significantly reduce the energy costs of a school district. Reports show
that geothermal systems save between 30-70% of heating costs and 20%-50%
for cooling costs.

This legislation seeks to help incentivize Long Island schools to
install either solar or geothermal energy systems. Beyond the positive
environmental impact and cost savings the installation of these renewa-
ble energy sources there is a unique opportunity for STEM education
specifically designed around solar and geothermal energy.  As Long
Island schools struggle to stretch every dollar, this legislation would
save school districts money on their energy costs.  Climate change is
real and occurring now, as a State we must look at innovative ways to
harness and expand our renewable energy footprint.  With over 30 million
square feet of rooftops available in Long Island School Districts, and
the untapped potential of geothermal energy. The ability to harness this
clean renewable energy is significant and should be explored.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

$10 million.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect April 1, 2020.

2019-S3776A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  3776--A
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 14, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  KAPLAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to  the  Committee  on  Finance  --  committee
   discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
   to said committee
 
 AN  ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to enacting the
   "Long Island public school solar and geothermal act";  and  making  an
   appropriation therefor
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. This act shall be known and  may  be  cited  as  the  "Long
 Island public school solar and geothermal act".
   § 2. Section 1854 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a
 new subdivision 22 to read as follows:
   22.  A.  TO MAKE GRANTS FROM AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR, IN AMOUNTS
 OF TWO HUNDRED  THOUSAND  DOLLARS,  TO  FIFTY  PUBLIC  SCHOOL  DISTRICTS
 LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU OR THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, TO PROVIDE
 SUCH  SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS OR GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS WITHIN SUCH
 DISTRICT. GRANTS SHALL BE MADE UPON APPLICATION BY SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICTS
 TO THE AUTHORITY IN A MANNER AND FORM TO BE DETERMINED BY THE AUTHORITY.
 IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC
 SOLAR PANELS  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  SUCH  APPLICATION  SHALL
 INCLUDE A PLAN PROPOSED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVIDING FOR THE INSTAL-
 LATION  OF  PHOTOVOLTAIC  SOLAR  PANELS ON A MINIMUM OF FIFTY PERCENT OF
 SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT'S SUITABLE ROOF SPACE ON BUILDINGS THAT ARE  ELIGI-
 BLE FOR STATE BUILDING AID.  GRANTS SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD
 OF THIRTY MONTHS FROM THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
   B. NO SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT RECEIVES A GRANT PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF
 THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE  SUBJECT TO A REDUCTION IN STATE EDUCATION AID
 DUE  TO MONEYS SAVED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A RESULT OF LOWER UTILITY
 COSTS RESULTING FROM THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD07042-10-9

 S. 3776--A                          2
 
 PANELS OR GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS PURSUANT TO   PARAGRAPH  A  OF
 THIS SUBDIVISION.
   §  3. The sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000), or so much thereof
 as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the New York state energy
 research and development authority from any moneys in the state treasury
 in the general fund to the credit of the  state  purposes  account,  not
 otherwise  appropriated, for the purposes of carrying out the provisions
 of section two of this act. Such sum shall be payable on the  audit  and
 warrant  of  the  state comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by
 the New York state energy research and  development  authority,  or  its
 duly designated representative in the manner provided by law.
   § 4. This act shall take effect April 1, 2020.

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