Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) announced today the passage of a bill (A.40004) she cosponsored to improve New York's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy efficiency in homes and businesses throughout the state. The legislation allows municipalities to establish the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program in order to apply for more than $400 million in federal funds to issue as loans to qualifying homeowners and businesses to install energy efficient retrofits and renewable energy systems.

Energy efficiency improvements contained in the legislation include window and door replacements, insulation and heating and cooling system upgrades. Renewable energy systems covered in the bill include solar, thermal, geothermal, wind and fuel cell technologies.

"Giving local governments the ability to tap into this source of federal funds will help us to develop our green economy and meet the state’s ambitious greenhouse emission reduction goals," Lupardo said. “The PACE program compliments the Green Jobs/Green Homes initiative and provides incentive for municipalities to get involved in encouraging energy efficiency for homeowners and businesses.”

The legislation would streamline the repayment of the loans by authorizing municipalities to include the loans on annual property tax bills. It was modeled after a similar bill Lupardo authored to create an identical program for the City of Binghamton.

“New York State is now adopting the model used by the City of Binghamton for their B2 Loan Program and allowing municipalities statewide to access minions of dollars in federal stimulus funds,” Lupardo said. “Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan’s efforts to find ways to foster the green economy in the City of Binghamton should be commended. This was a very creative use of the stimulus funds, which will now be used throughout New York.”

The legislation directs the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop standards for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems efficiency improvements. Under the bill, municipalities would be permitted to certify contractors for the performance of energy audits and renewable energy system feasibility studies based on the NYSERDA criteria.