Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter (D-Syracuse) announced that a bill she sponsored to raise the standards of payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) projects to encourage the use of green technologies and energy-saving measures passed the Assembly (A.1606).

“As our federal government continues to deny the existence of climate change, it’s more vital than ever for New York State to take action and protect and preserve our environment,” Hunter said. “Using PILOT programs to not only help our local businesses grow, but also become more energy efficient is a good place to start. With this legislation, these tax incentives will be used to help our state reach its green energy goals and encourage the development of more eco-friendly projects.”

The bill reforms the current PILOT program approval process by requiring local industrial development agencies (IDAs) to consider the extent to which a proposed project will implement resource conservation, energy efficiency, green technologies and alternative and renewable energy sources within what is practical and economically feasible. The measure would encourage more projects to use green energy, helping New York State meet its goal of using 50% renewable energy by 2030, noted Hunter.

This legislation builds on Hunter’s continued efforts to combat climate change and ensure a healthy future for generations to come. Last month, she helped pass a series of bills to protect our environment; including a bill she sponsored to protect the state’s fresh water supply (A.2286). She also co-sponsored legislation that would require the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to publish a list of “high local environmental impact zones” and consider various factors that contribute to a community’s environmental health (A.1779) and a measure to amend the state constitution to include the right to clean air and water and a healthful environment (A.2064).