BILL NUMBER: S314

SPONSOR: SALAZAR
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act directing the New York state energy research and development
authority to establish a ride clean rebate program

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

An act to direct NYSERDA to establish a Ride Clean Rebate Program in
parallel with the Drive Clean Rebate Program. In line with the legaliza-
tion of class one, class two, and class three bicycles with electric
assist passed in the Governor's 2020 Budget (see: Vehicle & Traffic Law
Section 102-c) this bill will encourage the expansion of electric bikes
across New York State. Using the same funding, the Ride Clean Rebate
Program would expand carbon-free mobility across New York State.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 directs the New York State Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA) to create a Ride Clean Rebate Program to allow class one,
              

class two, and class three bicycles with electric assists and electric
scooters to be eligible for a 50% rebate-2- up to $1,100 USD in a Ride
Clean Rebate.

Section 2 sets the effective date as immediate upon enactment.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Whereas e-bikes became legal in past years and are seen in tandem with
electric vehicles as part of the low carbon mobility future, and 75
percent of auto trips and 55 percent of transit trips in NYC are under
five miles, this rebate would encourage more New Yorkers to purchase and
utilize e-bikes for trips under five-miles removing congestion, traffic,
and harmful emissions from our roads and air.

By establishing a Ride Clean Rebate Program in parallel with the Drive
Clean Rebate Program that launched in 2017, New York State would diver-
sify its clean transportation strategy to further build a clean, resil-
ient, and affordable energy system.

Additionally, funding for the Drive Clean Rebate Program was allocated
in the State Budget and has not been fully paid out. This would also be
a stimulus to new entrepreneurship as electric bicycles are an emerging
industry in New York State in the period since legalization of the tech-
nology.

 
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:

This legislation would help to mitigate the impacts of climate change by
reducing carbon emissions, overall traffic and congestion, and encourag-
ing a shift to renewable modes of transportation.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

SENATE:

2020: S9019 (Salazar)- Referred to rules
2021: S3080A (Salazar)- Referred to Energy and Telecommunications,
Amend, Recommit to Energy and Telecommunications, Committed to Rules,
Passed Senate.

2022: Referred to Energy and Telecommunications, Committed to Rules,
Passed Senate

ASSEMBLY:

2020: A10974 (Carroll)- Referred to Energy

2021: A516A (Caroll)- Referred to Energy, Amend, recommit to Energy,
referred to Ways and Means

2022: Referred to Ways and Means

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Minimal

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately