BILL NUMBER: S8717
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the provision
of information relating to renewable energy technologies and programs
 
PURPOSE:
To direct NYSERDA to use every available method to inform the public
about the programs they operate that could save consumers money on their
energy costs or help them lower their energy use,
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one directs NYSERDA to specifically include information on what
incentives, affordability programs and energy efficiency programs are
available in its education and outreach efforts. It also directs the
authority to conduct outreach via television, radio, social media, print
advertising, with libraries and other public institutions and to recruit
people to serve as public ambassadors.
Section two states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
NYSERDA is responsible for a host of programs and incentives to assist
consumers with growing energy costs and find green solutions to reduce
their energy use. While these programs can be a great success for those
who take advantage of them, we have seen that educating consumers on
what programs exist and how to access them can be a significant barrier.
This bill will help increase the visibility of existing NYSERDA programs
by giving them specific directions on how to conduct their education and
outreach. This legislation will require NYSERDA to educate consumers on
what incentives, affordability programs and energy efficiency programs
already exist and it directs them to use television, radio, social media
and print advertising, work with libraries and other public institutions
and to recruit people to serve as public ambassadors. Increasing partic-
ipation in these programs is extremely important for helping consumers
lower their energy costs and help the state reach its CLCPA goals. This
bill will require NYSERDA to use every available avenue to increase
public awareness of what programs exist.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the
amendments to subdivision 1 of section 1912 of the public authorities
law made by section one of this act shall not affect the repeal of such
section and shall be deemed repealed therewith.

Statutes affected:
S8717: 1912 public authorities law, 1912(1) public authorities law