Provides that the New York state energy research and development authority shall provide information to residential and commercial consumers regarding renewable energy technology incentive and affordability programs through a variety of methods, including brochures, posters, social media, television ads, and public ambassadors.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8717
IN SENATE
January 7, 2026
___________
Introduced by Sen. HINCHEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommuni-
cations
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the provision
of information relating to renewable energy technologies and programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 1912 of the public authorities
2 law, as amended by chapter 106 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read
3 as follows:
4 1. Developing and enhancing a community education and engagement
5 program to inform New Yorkers about the climate crisis and the benefits
6 of shifting to a clean energy economy and conducting outreach, providing
7 information and education, and building consensus on the environmental
8 and local benefits of renewable energy technologies. Such strategic
9 education and outreach shall include:
10 (a) Effective communication, engagement and public outreach to commu-
11 nities, including disadvantaged communities, to provide education and
12 information on maximizing the benefits that renewable energy technolo-
13 gies can provide while demonstrating strategies and solutions that are
14 available to ensure that community benefits are meaningful and negative
15 impacts are avoided, reduced, or mitigated. Such education and informa-
16 tion shall include the provision of information to residential and
17 commercial consumers regarding currently available incentive and afford-
18 ability programs, including but not limited to home energy efficiency
19 programs and programs that increase home access to renewable energy;
20 (b) Comprehensive education and outreach to local governments that may
21 host renewable energy technologies to provide objective information
22 about the impacts of renewable energy development and mitigation oppor-
23 tunities; [and]
24 (c) Facilitation of forums for communities, regions, renewable energy
25 developers, and other stakeholders to exchange information and ensure
26 that all have access to the factual information necessary to support the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14100-02-5
S. 8717 2
1 appropriate siting of facilities and acceptance of renewable energy
2 technologies[.]; and
3 (d) Methods of public outreach which shall include, but not be limited
4 to: brochures and posters to be distributed to public libraries and
5 other public institutions; use of social media, internet, radio, newspa-
6 pers, and print advertising; use of television advertising; and recruit-
7 ment of individuals to serve as visible public ambassadors.
8 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
9 the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 1912 of the public authori-
10 ties law made by section one of this act shall not affect the repeal of
11 such section and shall be deemed repealed therewith.
