Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/S232
Timestamp: 2020-02-26 11:14:59
Document Index: 690380501

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 138', '§ 71', '§ 84', '§ 138', '§ 2', '§  138', '§  5']

NY State Senate Bill S232
senate Bill S232
Get Status Alerts for S232
Nov 25, 2019 vetoed memo.154
ordered to third reading rules cal.240
substituted for a1483
Mar 25, 2019 referred to small business
Mar 14, 2019 advanced to third reading
Mar 13, 2019 2nd report cal.
Mar 12, 2019 1st report cal.279
Mar 25, 2019 - floor Vote
Floor Vote: Mar 25, 2019
Mar 12, 2019 - Finance committee Vote
Finance Committee Vote: Mar 12, 2019
S232 (ACTIVE) - Details
2017-2018: A188
S232 (ACTIVE) - Summary
S232 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S232
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the economic development law and the
public service law, in relation to small business energy assistance and
This bill would improve New York's business climate by providing for a
program of small business energy assistance and advocacy.
Section one of the bill sets forth legislative findings concerning the
impact of rising costs on the State's small businesses and the need for
a program of assistance and advocacy to ensure the continued vitality of
this crucial sector.
Section 2 of the bill adds a new § 138-a to the Economic Development Law
to establish a small business energy assistance and advocacy services
program within the Division for Small Business. The program shall:
*solicit input from small businesses and organizations representing them
on energy assistance needs; identify issues relating to energy avail-
ability, affordability and sustainability affecting small businesses;
and develop recommendations for legislative, regulatory and programmatic
actions to address such issues;
*coordinate with entities including NYSERDA, the Power Authority and
other public utility authorities, the Public Service Commission (PSC)
and utilities to promote small business participation in developing and
implementing energy assistance programs and state energy policy;
*provide small businesses with information and materials on energy
assistance programs, cooperative fuel purchasing efforts and other
programs to maintain the affordability of energy, and provide access to
such information and materials on the Department of Economic Develop-
ment's website; and
*refer small businesses to specialists for information and assistance on
affordable alternative technologies, process changes, products and oper-
ational methods to achieve energy savings.
Sections 3 and 4 of the bill amend sections 71 and 84 of the Public
Service Law, respectively, to specifically authorize the Division of
Small Business to initiate complaints on behalf of small businesses with
the PSC regarding gas and electric (§ 71) and steam (§ 84).
Changes in the energy market are having a major impact on small busi-
nesses. Skyrocketing energy costs threaten the viability of many small
businesses, while the opportunities created by conservation measures,
alternative energy sources, co-generation and net metering, and financ-
ing help often require substantial investments of time and effort.
take full advantage of available programs to assist them in lowering
their energy bills and "going green." This information gap undercuts the
effectiveness of strategies to reduce fossil fuel use and reduce the
environmental impact of energy use.
This bill would create a "one stop" energy assistance program at the
Division for Small Business to make it easier for our entrepreneurs to
learn about, compare and select energy alternatives that will best fit
their operations and enable continued growth. The program would enhance
the ability of New York's small businesses to take advantage of programs
offered by NYSERDA, public utility authorities and investor-owned utili-
The Division would also be empowered to assist small businesses by
formally bringing complaints on their behalf regarding service and price
issues related to their energy service. Taken together, the provisions
of this bill will help to ensure that small businesses can take full
advantage of conservation, efficiency and renewable energy programs and
can obtain affordable. energy to enable them - and our economy - to
See A.6640-B of 2014 -- passed the Assembly, referred to the Senate
2015-16: A2521A - passed the Assembly, delivered to Senate
2017-18: A.188 passed Assembly
The Department of Economic Development already receives a percentage of
the basic assessment on public utilities and corporations. The percent-
ages of assessments allocated to specific agencies are changed each year
in the budget process. Any additional funding required to implement the
Division's responsibilities under Economic Development Law § 138-a and
the Public Service Law can be achieved through such a reallocation.
S232 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
gy costs present a significant barrier to the economic viability of  New
York's  small businesses, a crucial sector of the state's economy. Small
businesses can least afford the time and cost  associated  with  seeking
opportunities  to conserve energy, utilize energy efficient products and
processes and gain access to renewable sources of energy. The  viability
New  York  state  will  be  enhanced  by  the development, expansion and
promotion of accessible and affordable programs to  assist  small  busi-
nesses  in  energy conservation, energy efficiency, and increased use of
renewable resources, and by ensuring equitable treatment of small  busi-
The  legislature hereby establishes a small business energy assistance
within the New York state department of economic development  to  assist
renewable  energy programs available through public and private sources,
and to advocate for the initiation and expansion of  such  programs  and
for  equitable  treatment  of small businesses in regulatory proceedings
§ 2. The economic development law is amended by adding a  new  section
LBD04586-01-9
S. 232                              2
§  138-A.  SMALL  BUSINESS  ENERGY  ASSISTANCE  AND  ADVOCACY SERVICES
PROGRAM.  1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN  THE  DIVISION  A  SMALL
S. 232                              3
§  5.  This  act shall take effect September 1, 2021.  Effective imme-