BILL NUMBER: S6570
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law and the public
service law, in relation to enacting the accelerate solar for affordable
power (ASAP) act
 
PURPOSE:
The bill aims to expand access to solar energy for low- and moderate-in-
come households by streamlining regulations, incentivizing solar devel-
opment, and ensuring there is equitable distribution of renewable energy
benefits.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 establishes the short title of the act as the "Accelerate
Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act."
Section 2 outlines the legislative findings and intent,stating that
increasing distributed solar energy capacity and reducing intercon-
nection costs are essential for affordability, economic development, and
environmental goals. It also expresses the legislature's intent to amend
the CLCPA to set a new target for distributed solar energy capacity and
directs the Public Service Commission (PSC) to implement interconnection
reforms.
Section 3 amends paragraph (e) of subdivision 75-0103 of the Environ-
mental Conservation Law to increase the statewide distributed solar
energy target from six gigawatts by 2025 to twenty gigawatts by 2035.
Section 4 adds a new section 66-x to the Public Service Law requiring
utilities to file annual reports on interconnection upgrade costs, track
and disclose actual costs, and allow public access to this data. It also
mandates the development of a self-performance program for distributed
energy resource (DER) companies to complete certain upgrades independ-
ently, sets requirements for prevailing wages, and directs the PSC to
create cost-certainty measures to prevent excessive utility cost over-
runs.
Section 5 amends subdivision 1 of section 66-j of the Public Service Law
to define flexible interconnection" as the use of smart-grid technology
to actively manage DERs.
Section 6 will require the PSC to establish a statewide flexible inter-
connection program within one year, with clear curtailment limits, tran-
sparent pricing, and technical flexibility. It also directs them to
create a distribution system investment program to expand DER hosting
capacity and requires annual utility reporting on investments made.
Section 7 directs NYSERDA and the Department of Public Service to
continue the NY-Sun program with incentives prioritizing low- to moder-
ate-income households and disadvantaged communities. It also directs the
PSC to issue necessary orders to implement the provisions of this act.
Section 8 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York must expand its distributed solar capacity and improve the
interconnection process to meet its clean energy, affordability, and
economic development goals.This bill strengthens the state's commitment
to solar energy by raising the distributed solar target to 20 gigawatts
by 2035, ensuring continued growth in a proven and successful clean
energy sector. It also advances critical interconnection reforms that
will reduce costs, shorten project timelines, and allow for proactive
grid investments to accommodate more solar capacity efficiently.
The bill also strongly aligns with the CLCPA goals, supports clean ener-
gy job growth, and helps lower electricity costs for consumers by reduc-
ing reliance on fossil fuels. By improving transparency in utility
upgrade costs and introducing competitive reforms, it will prevent
unnecessary expenses that drive up project costs and slow deployment.
Additionally, by continuing the NY-Sun program, the bill provides long-
term market certainty, attracts private investment, and ensures that at
least 35% of program benefits reach disadvantaged communities, further
advancing equity and economic
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6570: 66-j public service law, 66-j(1) public service law