With budget negotiations wrapping up, it is critical that lawmakers hear from constituents now to ensure the FY27 State Budget includes measures to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and drive New York’s transition to affordable clean energy.
Among the most important priorities that must be included in the final budget are investing $3 billion a year in the Sustainable Future Fund, passing the ASAP Act to boost solar energy development, and enacting a sales tax exemption for utility-scale battery energy storage systems.
These actions are absolutely critical, especially in light of the proposed weakening of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
[Tell lawmakers to ensure the State Budget includes these measures!]
Investing $3 billion annually in the Sustainable Future Fund would help New York accelerate the transition to cleaner, more efficient energy systems while lowering costs for consumers over the long term. The fund would support investments in renewable energy, building electrification, energy efficiency upgrades, resilient infrastructure, and programs that help households and businesses reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. It would also help create jobs, strengthen local economies, and ensure disadvantaged communities benefit from the clean energy transition.
Solar energy has been one of New York’s great clean energy success stories and the state should double down by passing the ASAP Act, which would expand access to affordable solar hookups by making use of existing grid infrastructure and providing upfront incentives to solar consumers through the continuation of the NY-Sun Program. The act, which is projected to save New Yorkers $1 billion in wholesale electricity costs every year, also sets a new goal: 20GW of distributed solar by 2035.
Enacting a sales tax exemption for utility-scale battery energy storage systems would help speed the deployment of one of the most important technologies in New York’s clean energy transition. Battery storage systems allow renewable energy to be stored and used when demand is highest, improving reliability and reducing reliance on expensive and polluting peaker plants. Removing the sales tax burden on these projects would lower costs, encourage investment, and help New York build a cleaner and more resilient electric grid.
As we speak, NYLCV’s policy team is in Albany meeting with legislators, because in moments like these — when negotiations are moving fast — lawmakers need to know where their constituents stand.
Clean energy is the path to affordability for New Yorkers, and now is not the time to step back. In these final days of negotiations, lawmakers must focus on protecting families from the real cause of rising utility bills: fossil fuels that are tethered to foreign interests, global markets, and international disruptions.
The final FY27 State Budget must include strong climate and clean energy measures that will protect public health, lower costs, create jobs, and keep New York moving toward a cleaner and more affordable future.