S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6058
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
May 16, 2019
___________
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommuni-
cations
AN ACT to authorize the New York state energy research and development
authority to enter into agreements to establish a New York renewable
energy laboratory
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
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 develop-
ment 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 engi-
neering, 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.