Signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases New York's renewable energy goals to achieve 100 percent zero-emission standards by 2040.

Highlights:

• Establishes the New York State Climate Action Council, which shall consist of 22 members from various state commissions such as transportation, health, and economic development, and council members will not receive compensation for their services on the Council (Sec. 1).

• Requires that no later than June 30, 2021, the Public Service Commission shall establish a program to make sure that (Sec. 1):

• A minimum of 70 percent of the statewide electric generation secured by the jurisdictional load serving entities to meet the electrical energy requirements of all end-use customers in New York state in 2030, shall be generated by renewable energy systems; and 

• By the year 2040, the statewide electrical demand system will be zero emissions. 

• Requires that no later than one year after this act goes into effect, the Department of Environmental Conservation shall establish a statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit as a percentage of 1990 emissions, as follows (Sec. 1):

• 2030: 60 percent of 1990 emissions; and 

• 2050: fifteen percent of 1990 emissions. 

• Requires that no later than July 1, 2024, the Commission shall establish programs to require the procurement by the state’s load serving entities of at least 9 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2025 and 6 gigawatts of solar energy generation by 2025, and to support 3 gigawatts of statewide energy storage capacity by 2030 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text