Directs the New York state energy resource and development authority, in collaboration with the New York state thruway authority, the department of transportation, and the New York power authority, to conduct a feasibility study on installing solar panels and other renewable energy systems along state highways and to submit a report relating thereto.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9030
SPONSOR: Brown K TITLE OF BILL:
An act to direct the New York state energy resource and development
authority to conduct a feasibility study on installing solar panels and
other renewable energy systems along state highways; and providing for
the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
The purpose of this bill is to direct the New York state energy resource
and development authority to conduct a feasibility study on installing
solar panels and other renewable energy systems along state highways.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section one of this bill directs the New York state energy resource and
development authority, in collaboration with the New York state thruway
authority, the department of transportation, and the New York Power
Authority, shall study the viability of installing solar panels and
other renewable energy systems, as such term is defined in section
sixty-six-p of the public service law, along state highways, including,
but not limited to, the New.York State Thruway.
Section 2 of this bill directs that no later than one year after the
effective date of this act, the New York State Energy and Development
Authority shall report its findings of such study to the governor and
the legislature, as described under section one of this act.
Section three of this bill establishes the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
N/A
JUSTIFICATION::
Recently several states have begun to develop feasibility plans or have
instituted programs to install solar panels along state highways. These
include California, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Oregon.
California, based on analysis conducted by The Ray, determined that
three counties have enormous solar potential; Massachusetts has devel-
oped five solar arrays along its highways; Maryland's program is
projected to generate 300 construction and 30 operations and maintenance
jobs; and Oregon has not only created a program for themselves, but they
have also created a Guidebook for other state's Departments of Transpor-
tations to use to create one of their own.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway
Administration, "Solar photovoltaic technology provides a promising
option for deriving value from highway rights-of-way and other land
owned by state DOTs." These Solar Photovoltaic systems can be installed
in a multitude of locations along or near highways and generate clean,
renewable electric power which will potentially help states reduce ener-
gy cost, create new revenue streams, and create jobs.
New York ranks among the states with the highest electric costs for both
residential and business with rates 17% higher than the national aver-
age, as reported by Energy Bot. One of the reasons for the high rate is
the amount of usage, which is continuing to climb. A report from New
York Independent System Operator (NYISO) indicates that by 2030 electric
demand could increase to nearly 4,000 MW, putting a strain on the power
grid.
This bill shall help take a step to finding a solution to our energy
issues by directing the New York state energy resource and development
authority to conduct a feasibility study on installing solar panels and
other renewable energy systems along state highways.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
New bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::
None
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire and be deemed
repealed two years after such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9030
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
September 5, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. K. BROWN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Energy
AN ACT to direct the New York state energy resource and development
authority to conduct a feasibility study on installing solar panels
and other renewable energy systems along state highways; and providing
for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The New York state energy resource and development authori-
2 ty, in collaboration with the New York state thruway authority, the
3 department of transportation, and the New York power authority, shall
4 study the viability of installing solar panels and other renewable ener-
5 gy systems, as such term is defined in section sixty-six-p of the public
6 service law, along state highways including, but not limited to, the New
7 York state thruway.
8 § 2. No later than one year after the effective date of this act, the
9 New York state energy resource and development authority shall report
10 its findings of such study to the governor and the legislature, as
11 described under section one of this act.
12 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire and be
13 deemed repealed two years after such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13562-02-5
