Requires certain construction project contracts to include siting of renewable energy systems, qualified energy storage systems…

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

Under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York State aims to source 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Meeting this target will require substantial new investment in renewable generation and transmission capacity. White the State has taken actions to expand renewables, we still rely too often on developer-led initi- atives rather than actively promoting renewables as State policy. Empire State Development is a public benefit corporation tasked with promoting and growing the New York state economy, including promoting investment and job creation through loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, and other assistance. It oversees housing site development, funds regional economic development including workforce programs, provides capital grants to employers to retain or attract new jobs, and develops infrastructure necessary to support businesses. As a major driver of capital projects, Empire State Development can be a vehicle for advancing the State's climate goals. New York should lead by example in promoting renewable energy construction on State-funded projects to the greatest extent possible. This bill will create synergy between our economic development strategy and our renewable energy goals by requiring, to the greatest extent feasible, that solar is paired with development of large state projects such as new construction, prison redevelopment, or other priorities. This will ensure that our investment policies help drive our climate strategy as we move toward renewables, energy independence, and climate sustainability.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.