Plugged In To Energy & Telecom
Coverage of Energy and Telecommunication News & Policy Across New York State
March 27, 2023
What’s Inside
- Siena Poll on Building Electrification
- City of Beacon to Require All Electric Buildings
- Governor Announces Third Round Winners of Buildings of Excellence Competition
- NYPA Board Approves Economic Development Awards
- New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment Issues Preliminary Agenda
- Legislative Update
- Regulatory Update
- In The News
Siena Poll on Building Electrification
For the second time in as many months, Siena College Research Institute included a question in its New York State Politics poll regarding the proposal to ban gas in the State. The question is framed differently than a similar question posed one month ago. The results indicate a significant increase in support for the proposal over the previous month.
One of the most noticeable differences is the dramatic increase in support among independent voters, registering 30 percentage points higher over last month.
The proposal seems to have made some headway in Upstate where it was, and remains, its least favorable region. The Suburbs have now edged up to a plurality of support. Women, who were widely opposed just last month, now support with a plurality of voters as well.
Support for the proposal among white voters has ticked up above a plurality. The proposal has also gained popularity among Catholic voters. Jewish voters on the other hand, continue to oppose the proposal at a relatively consistent pace as last month, though support for the proposal among that group sank by 13 percentage points.
Support has increased and opposition decreased among all age brackets, most notably among the higher two cohorts. The lower two income brackets, who opposed just last month, now joined the highest age group with overall support for the proposal.
This poll shows a significant change in voter perception regarding building electrification. The proposal has shifted in recent weeks from being a proposal for all buildings, new and old, to being focused exclusively on new construction, which has a less direct/immediate impact on voters. That said, it is difficult to believe the general voter is paying close enough attention to the details of the proposal to understand that a shift has even occurred. Even last month’s poll, while worded slightly differently, was still specific to the requirement being for new construction. One could argue the framing of last month’s question was more negative than the framing of this month’s question, which may possibly explain the higher number – across the board – of voters that “don’t know/have no opinion” compared to the previous month.
Poll question from last month:
“Q27. Essentially prohibit all fossil fuel-burning equipment – including stoves – for new single-family homes by the end of 2025 and for all new construction by the end of 2028.”
Poll question from this month:
“Q27. Mandating that all new buildings under seven stories built after 2026, and all new buildings seven stories and taller built after 2028, use electricity – rather than gas – for heating and cooking.”
This Siena College Poll was conducted March 19 – 22, 2023, among 802 New York State registered voters. It has an overall margin of error of +/- 4.6 percentage points.
City of Beacon to Require All Electric Buildings
The City of Beacon in Dutchess County became the third municipality in New York to pass electrification legislation that will prohibit the use of natural gas in nearly all newly constructed buildings as well as in major renovations. New York City and Ithaca have previously passed local laws to similar effect. The legislation passed unanimously and takes effect on January 1, 2024. It directs the city to move away from natural gas in building construction and renovation to cut air pollution caused by emissions from appliances and building systems and to comply with the state’s climate mandates outlined in the CLCPA.
There are some exemptions – the prohibition will not apply to systems for emergency backup power, manufactured homes, buildings designated for occupancy by a manufacturing facility, commercial food establishments, laboratories, laundromats, crematoriums, hospitals or other medical facilities. Municipal sewer and water facilities are also exempt as is any project approved by the Planning Board before June 30, 2023.
Those who are denied building permits can apply for a hardship exemption with the Zoning Board by proving the electrification standards are financially, technically or physically infeasible.
Food and Water Watch and Beacon Climate Action Now are taking credit for the passage of this local legislation.
Governor Announces Third Round Winners of Buildings of Excellence Competition
The Governor announced $13.5 million was awarded to 14 projects through the third round of the Buildings of Excellence Competition administer by NYSERDA which recognizes the design, construction and operation of clean, resilient, and low-carbon or carbon neutral multifamily buildings. In addition to these awards for demonstration projects, $1.1 million for Early-Stage Design Support was also announced to help ensure the most cost-effective low carbon solutions are integrated into projects from the start of design.
Competition applicants were required to demonstrate cost-effective, low-carbon or carbon-neutral designs that are profitable for developers, offer predictable revenue and costs, and provide a competitive edge, while simultaneously creating a comfortable, healthy, and affordable space for building occupants. The winning projects are also required to provide comprehensive data on design, construction and cost that can be analyzed and shared to increase the number of low- to zero-carbon buildings in New York State.
A full list of the Buildings of Excellence Round Three Awardees can be found here.
NYPA Board Approves Economic Development Awards
The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees approved economic development awards to 22 firms including a Niagara hydropower allocation to Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, and a ReCharge NY power allocation to Micron, a U.S.-based memory and storage manufacturer. The NYPA board also approved a low-cost hydropower allocation to the Village of Greene in Chenango County in the Southern Tier under the Power Authority’s Industrial Economic Development program. Low-cost power through the statewide ReCharge NY program was allocated to the remaining applicants.
The NYPA board approved a nearly 10.7-megawatt (MW) low-cost Niagara Power Project hydropower allocation to Amazon in support of the firm’s construction of a $550 million e-commerce storage and distribution center in the Town of Niagara that will receive, store, package and fulfill online customer orders. Low-cost Niagara hydropower is available for companies within a 30-mile radius of the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project or businesses in Chautauqua County.
The NYPA board also awarded more than 150 MW of low-cost power under its ReCharge NY program, including a 140-MW low-cost power allocation to Micron. Additionally, the NYPA board approved 404 MW of High Load Factor power that NYPA will procure for Micron on the energy market.
The remaining low-cost power awards will be directed to companies in the Capital District, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, North Country, New York City, Central New York, Western New York, Hudson Valley and on Long Island.
A full list of ReCharge NY power allocations is available here.
New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment Issues Preliminary Agenda
The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment will meet on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to consider a petition for application of Flint Mine Solar LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need Pursuant to Article 10 for Construction of a Solar Electric Generating Facility Located in the Towns of Coxsackie and Athens, Greene County.
Legislative Update
State Assembly Agendas (Bills of Interest)
Energy (BARRETT)
11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Room 715 LOB
The committee meeting will be broadcast on the NYS Assembly website
A.295 Carroll – An act to amend the public service law, in relation to adjustment of electric residential fixed charges
A.1190 Rivera – An act to amend the public service law, in relation to certain requirements regarding billing for electric services
A.5687 Barrett – An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring the New York State energy research and development authority to develop a real-time mobile application with a corresponding map with information on electric vehicle charging stations and to make such information available on the authority’s website
_______________________________________________________________
Housing (ROSENTHAL L)
10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Room 942 LOB
The committee meeting will be broadcast on the NYS Assembly website
A.5694 Rosenthal L – An act to amend the real property law, in relation to the installation of appliances or fixtures by tenants
_______________________________________________________________
State Senate Agendas (Bills of Interest)
Senate Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
Senator Leroy Comrie, Chair
10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Room 611 LOB
Committee meetings can be viewed on the NYS Senate website.
S.1103 Comrie – An act to amend the New York state urban development corporation act, in relation to creating the hospital and multiple dwelling energy loan fund
- Refer to Finance
________________________________________________________________
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
Senator Kevin S. Parker, Chair
11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Room 124 CAP
Committee meetings can be viewed on the NYS Senate website.
Houtan Moaveni, Executive Director of the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting, will address the Committee.
S.377 Parker – An act to amend the public service law, in relation to the collection of charges for residential utility service deemed to be rent
- Refer to Judiciary
S.1736A Krueger – An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring electric vehicle charging stations and level 2 electric vehicle capable parking spaces
- Refer to Finance
S.1853 Hinchey – An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the natural carbon sequestration research program; and to amend part W of chapter 58 of the laws of 2021 authorizing the energy research and development authority to finance a portion of its research, development and demonstration, policy and planning, and Fuel NY program, as well as climate change related expenses of the department of environmental conservation and the department of agriculture and markets’ Fuel NY program, from an assessment on gas and electric corporations, in relation to funding for the natural carbon sequestration research program
- Refer to Finance
S.2616 Parker – An act to amend the public service law, in relation to the establishment of reduced residential rates for electric and natural gas service to furloughed or non-pay federal workers; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
S.3021 Comrie – An act to amend the energy law, in relation to the composition of the state energy planning board
S.5126 Parker – An act to amend the public service law, in relation to attachments to utility poles for broadband service
Bills Passed Last Week
Passed Assembly Only:
A.4456 Bores/S.4617 Griffo – Raises the maximum fine for persons who violate the law regulating telemarketing to twenty thousand dollars.
Passed Senate Only:
S.1398 Liu/No Same As – Requires public utility companies to repair or replace all damaged residential lateral sewer and water pipes where such damage was caused by such public utility company.
S.1851 Hinchey/A.888 Jacobson – Permits the rendering of an estimated bill from a utility corporation or municipality under certain circumstances; requires each utility corporation and municipality within six months to submit to the commission a model procedure for the calculation of estimated bills that incorporates best practices and technology and accounts for any barriers to the use of actual meter readings.
S.1918 May/No Same As – Relates to agreements, such as leases or easements, related to renewable energy development rights on reforestation areas.
S.2450 Krueger/A.3883 Braunstein – Includes contacts via text, email, private message, direct message or other electronic communication in the definition of the offense of aggravated harassment in the second degree.
S.4305 Parker/A.4098 Cunningham – Relates to requiring cellular telephone companies and third-party service providers to provide plans to the public service commission to make all cell towers one hundred percent renewable energy powered by 2031.
S.4886 Gianaris/No Same As – Relates to the general civil penalty of the environmental conservation law; provides that in addition to the fines, such person may be enjoined from continuing such violation and any permit or certificate issued to such person may be revoked or suspended, or a pending renewal application may be denied.
Passed Both:
N/A
State Register
Department of Law
- Presumptive Cases of Gross Disparity Under the Price Gouging Law (Proposed)
- Presumptive Unfair Leverage for Large Enterprises or Enterprises with Large Market Share Under the Price Gouging Law (Proposed)
- Presumptive Cases of Gross Disparity for Purposes of the Price Gouging Statute (Proposed)
- Application of Price Gouging Prohibition to Parties Within the Chain of Distribution (Proposed)
- Application of the Price Gouging Law to Dynamic Pricing (Proposed)
- Presumptive Cases of Unfair Leverage for Purposes of the Price Gouging Law (Proposed)
- Costs Not Within the Control of the Defendant for Purposes of the Price Gouging Law (Proposed)
Public Service Commission
- Registration of Energy Brokers and Energy Consultants (Proposed)
In The News
Wind power deal yields $170M in community benefits.
Rochester mayor, council members call on state to fund public utility study.
Labor and green groups look for another big win: Decarbonizing state buildings.
Manufacturers learn about NY’s energy policy.
New York must chart new course for gas utilities to hit climate targets.
Clean energy takes root in rural America.
New York lawmakers want utility bills to be more predictable.
Why advocates, farmers say underfunded safety programs put agricultural workers at risk.
Officials say hydrogen fuel vehicles are coming soon to New York.
NY LG Delgado tours Plug Power as Hochul administration prioritizes green energy investments.
DEC commissioner: New York’s cap-and-invest climate regulations likely won’t be ready this year.
Agreement will connect Suffolk County to Sunrise Wind’s offshore wind benefits.