BILL NUMBER: S9096
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the
office of energy and equity; and to amend the state finance law and the
public authorities law, in relation to establishing the energy afforda-
bility fund
 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
To establish the Office of Energy and Equity to ensure equitable access
to all energy affordability initiatives available in the state, stream-
line the administration of such initiatives for the purpose of maximiz-
ing energy affordability support for eligible households, promote trans-
parency in the design, administration, delivery, and outcomes from such
programs, while also creating an energy affordability fund to support
energy affordability programs.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the Executive Law by adding a new Section 94-e to
establish the Office of Energy and Equity to ensure equitable access to
all energy affordability initiatives available in the state, streamline
the administration of such initiatives, and maximize energy affordabili-
ty support for eligible households. Establishes annual reporting
requirements.
§ 2: Amends the State Finance Law by adding a new Section 99-uu to
establish the Energy Affordability Fund to be used to support and
promote energy affordability programs administered by the state.
§ 3: Amends Section 1854 of the Public Authorities Law by adding a new
subdivision 27 authorizing NYSERDA to make available up to $500 million
annually to the Office of Energy and Equity.
§ 4: Effective Date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State is in the midst of an energy affordability crisis.
Excessive household energy costs impose a disproportionate burden on
low- and moderate-income households, seniors, persons with disabilities,
and residents of disadvantaged communities, increasing the risk of util-
ity arrearages, service terminations, housing instability, and adverse
health outcomes. The utility companies own collections activity reports
show that during November 2025, there were 1.3 million accounts behind
on their electric and gas bills for a total of $1.8 billion owed.
The State administers multiple energy affordability, bill assistance,
energy efficiency, and weatherization programs through various agencies
and public authorities. Unfortunately, the administration of these
programs is fragmented, resulting in administrative barriers, inconsist-
ent eligibility deteiminations, under enrollment in programs, and limit-
ed coordination that can result in eligible households not receiving the
full scope of energy affordability assistance for which they qualify.
This bill would establish the Office of Energy and Equity under the
Department of State to ensure equitable access to all energy affordabil-
ity initiatives available in the state, streamline the administration of
such initiatives, and maximize energy affordability support for eligible
households.
The Office of Energy and Equity will also aid in providing greater tran-
sparency of these programs by issuing annual reports on energy burden
metrics, energy affordability programs, service terminations, and policy
recommendations.
The bill also establishes an Energy Affordability Fund, funded by up to
$500 million from NYSERDA annually, to support and promote energy
affordability programs. The need for additional funding became incredi-
bly clear when the federal government delayed funding for the Home Ener-
gy Assistance Program (HEAP) for nearly a month. This fund will be used
to fill in federal funding gaps for HEAP, reduce the energy burdens of
households statewide whose annual energy burdens are greater than six
percent of their income, and enable the continuity and restoration of
service for residential utility customers.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be detetmined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first April next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S9096: 1854 public authorities law