Senate Bill S7898

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7898

SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the economic development law, in relation to certain
construction project contracts to include siting of solar energy arrays,
major renewable energy facilities, or major electric transmission facil-
ities

 
PURPOSE:

To promote renewable energy production and transmission siting as part
of State economic development initiatives.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one amends economic development law to require that contracts
for new construction entered into, overseen, or enforced by the depart-
ment of economic development or empire state development corporation
with a value of greater than $5M in State funding support shall include,
to the greatest extent feasible, siting of solar energy arrays, major
              

renewable energy facilities, or major electric transmission facilities.

Section two is the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York
State aims to source 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.
Meeting this target will require substantial new investment in renewable
generation and transmission capacity. White the State has taken actions
to expand renewables, we still rely too often on developer-led initi-
atives rather than actively promoting renewables as State policy.

Empire State Development is a public benefit corporation tasked with
promoting and growing the New York state economy, including promoting
investment and job creation through loans, grants, tax credits, real
estate development, and other assistance. It oversees housing site
development, funds regional economic development including workforce
programs, provides capital grants to employers to retain or attract new
jobs, and develops infrastructure necessary to support businesses.

As a major driver of capital projects, Empire State Development can be a
vehicle for advancing the State's climate goals. New York should lead by
example in promoting renewable energy construction on State-funded
projects to the greatest extent possible. This bill will create synergy
between our economic development strategy and our renewable energy goats
by requiring, to the greatest extent feasible, that solar is paired with
development of large state projects such as new construction, prison
redevelopment, or other priorities. This wilt ensure that our investment
policies help drive our climate strategy as we move toward renewables,
energy independence, and climate sustainability.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate