Requires the public service commission to determine the cost to ratepayers of rules and regulations issued to comply with the New York state climate leadership and community protection act.
Summary
Bill S05251, known as the 'CLCPA Transparency Act', aims to enhance transparency regarding the costs associated with compliance to the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The bill mandates the Public Service Commission (PSC) to develop a formula that calculates the cost per ratepayer for adhering to the emissions goals outlined in Article 75 of the Environmental Conservation Law. This formula will be used to inform the public about the financial implications of any orders, directives, or regulations issued by the PSC to meet these environmental standards.
Impact
If enacted, this bill will amend the Public Service Law by requiring the PSC to disclose the estimated costs of compliance to ratepayers at least 30 days before any new regulations are implemented. This change is expected to provide greater accountability and transparency in how utility costs are determined and communicated to consumers, potentially influencing public perception and acceptance of climate-related policies.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding Bill S05251 appears to be generally supportive, particularly among advocates for transparency and environmental accountability. However, there may be concerns from utility companies regarding the administrative burden of calculating and disclosing these costs, as well as potential pushback from ratepayers worried about increased costs associated with compliance.
Contention
Notable points of contention may arise from utility companies who may argue that the requirement to disclose compliance costs could lead to public backlash against necessary regulatory measures. Additionally, there may be differing opinions among legislators regarding the balance between environmental goals and economic impacts on consumers.
Allows surplus or uncommitted funds in the New York state climate investment account to be returned to ratepayers; establishes a one-year utility bill tax and surcharge holiday and a two-year green energy tax holiday; relates to audits of utility corporations; authorizes the public service commission to reconsider rate increases; grants customers the right to decline smart meters and prohibits such customers from being penalized or charged exercising such right; directs the public service commission to conduct a study analyzing the economic impact of the use of smart meters; relates to costs and expenses of the department of public service and the public service commission; directs the public service commission to develop a formula to determine the average cost to comply with the provisions set forth in article seventy-five of the environmental conservation law; provides for a ratepayer protection tax credit; repeals certain provisions of law relating to the assessment of costs and expenses of the department of public service and the public service commission.
Establishes the climate leadership and community protection act cost task force to study the impact on taxpayers and ratepayers of the implementation of the mandates set forth by the climate leadership and community protection act.
Requires consideration of an offerer's compliance with the New York state climate leadership and community protection act in certain procurement contracts.
Establishes the small business energy conservation ombudsman program to represent small businesses on issues relating to state energy policy and the goals of the climate leadership and community protection act.
Establishes the small business energy conservation ombudsman program to represent small businesses on issues relating to state energy policy and the goals of the climate leadership and community protection act.
Enacts the "ratepayer disclosure and transparency act" which requires a monthly report that includes the estimated or actual ratepayer costs and benefits of any mandated state energy program to the governor and legislature including any New York climate leadership and community protection act compliance costs.
Enacts the "ratepayer disclosure and transparency act" which requires a monthly report that includes the estimated or actual ratepayer costs and benefits of any mandated state energy program to the governor and legislature including any New York climate leadership and community protection act compliance costs.