REPORT FROM THE HILL by Richard Brescia, NYPGA lobbyist, Albany, NY, May 8, 2015
The NYS legislative session is scheduled to end June 17 leaving 6 weeks to complete several important items such as mayoral control of the NYC school
system, rent regulations and local tax relief.
Leaders in both houses have been targets of investigations by the US Attorney, with Sheldon Silver resigning his speaker's chair but remaining as a member and Senator Majority Leader and Senate Pro Temper, Dean Skelos remaining in his leadership posts as of Wednesday, May 6.
Both houses, contrary to popular understanding, function quite well since politics is perpetual conflict and resolution with many competent members and staff to carry on. Rumors that Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is also a target of US Atty. Preet Bharara could complicate end-of-session negotiations but lack of public support will not stop the ineluctable progress toward adjournment.
Political horse trading is like international trade: it wouldn't take place unless everyone had something to gain. The governor is promoting "Reforming the Energy Vision" as the central feature of the NYS Energy Plan, that mandates utilities purchase electricity from a grid with access to low-impact generation, mostly renewables from the carbon reduction menu that are supposed to be available from grants and loan guarantees that mirror the policies of the Obama administration. Economists call this an "industrials" policy where govt. substitutes its judgement for market
determination of resource allocation. However, a new bill, S-5131 (no same as) mandates a review by the PSC of REV's impact on consumers using several criteria:
1. an analysis of the potential benefits and costs of the REV initiative;
2. the impact of REV on electric rates charged to consumers through additional taxes and fees, increased rates or any other charges required to fund the REV initiative;
3. the feasibility of other potential initiatives and approaches to
upgrading and updating the current energy infrastructure of this state;
4. an analysis of potential benefits and costs of such other initiatives determined to be feasible pursuant to subdivision three of this section;
5. the impact on consumers resulting from the cost and expense of replacing existing energy infrastructure; and
6. any other information the public service commission deems
necessary.
Senator Boyle has introduce S-5162/A-2454 to amend the tax law with in relation motor fuel wholesalers registration and monthly reporting of gallonage purchased and sold. This is identical to a provision dropped from Senate 3009, a budget bill.
A troublesome item, S-4211, has made its way to the "third reading" calendar where it awaits amendments to be determined. This measure mandates that utility funds be set aside for use in subsidizing the expansion of natural gas distribution lines within proximity to unserved residential and commercial customers. The presumed benefits of substituting NG for other, unspecified fuels, are lower costs to consumers and reductions in NOX, SOX, CO, particulate matter though neither the bill nor memo provide the advantages of NG over each specific fuel. The bill is designed to aid in the implementation of the NYS Energy Plan which calls for the energy mix to shift from fuel oil and propane to natural gas and renewables. The anomalies are NYS banned fracking, yet wants more natural gas from which propane is derived and which
possesses almost identical savings in environmental reductions not to mention the direct price relationship between the two fuels.
We are working with NPGA on this matter.
To see the cumulative record of the bills followed including those on which memos have been filed, see the link below for the entire report, including sections "senate" and "assembly" where new introductions are listed.]
See the complete report in .pdf format here
We are pleased to announce that Primemax Energy has committed to a Platinum Sponsorship for the NYPGA Summer Meeting, in planning now for June 22-23. Sponsorship forms for Sponsorships, exhibit space and Silent Auction contribution are not yet in print, but we thank Primemax for getting in early!
under development
ropane Days June 8-9-10? If so, please 
TUESDAY,, JUNE 9TH, 4:00 PM
