Hochul's solar and EV push

 Good morning and welcome to the weekly Monday edition of the New York & New Jersey Energy newsletter. We'll take a look at the week ahead and look back on what you may have missed last week.

SOLAR, EV CHARGING BOOST: Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to bolster solar for schools and electric vehicle charging infrastructure as part of her State of the State address on Tuesday. The governor plans to advance a sales tax exemption for electricity sold by commercial EV charging stations. New York currently has about 187,000 electric vehicles on the road, according to the governor’s office. That’s far short of a Cuomo-era goal of 850,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2025. The state has about 15,000 chargers at more than 4,000 locations.

The governor will also propose clearing a barrier for school districts seeking to deploy solar, including ground-mounted arrays. She’s proposing changes to the state’s building aid rules, which can restrict investments by schools. Lawmakers have previously proposed changes to building aid to allow for more investments in electric bus charging infrastructure.

“The federal government’s ongoing assault on clean energy projects will not deter me from continuing New York’s push for a cleaner, greener healthier state,” Hochul said in a statement. “By supporting solar deployment in our schools and establishing a sales tax exemption on the retail sale of electricity used to recharge an electric vehicle by a commercial EV charging station, we are reaffirming our commitment to a green energy future.”

Other State of the State proposals … Hochul on Friday at the Long Island Association previewed a proposal to include a commitment for $3.75 billion for water infrastructure over the next five years. That’s less than groups like the New York League of Conservation Voters had pushed for ($4.5 billion over the same time period), but still a substantial boost above the status quo of $500 million annually — at about $750 million each year. Environmental advocates were thrilled with the commitment, praising the governor at a rally later in the day in support of offshore wind.

The governor is also expected to advance a proposal on utility accountability and affordability. That could include changes to the length of rate cases and enhanced consumer protections, according to a person familiar with the proposals granted anonymity to discuss them freely. Hochul is also expected to include changes to the state’s signature environmental permitting law, the State Environmental Quality Review Act. The aim appears to be to speed up housing approvals, but it could be more expansive. This could spur concerns for environmental groups who worry weakening the law could lead to more destruction of forests, farmland and open space. — Marie J. French

NEW NUKE COALITION: Labor, industry and some community leaders launched a new pro-nuclear group on Monday. The Future Energy Alliance plans to focus on public education, including an ad campaign, and will also engage elected officials. It’s looking to promote investment in next-generation nuclear energy, aligning with Hochul’s directive to the New York Power Authority to develop at least 1 gigawatt of new nuclear power.

Members of the coalition include the Business Council of New York State and Constellation, which owns the state’s upstate nuclear fleet and is promoting the potential to site new reactors near those existing plants. Unions, including the Laborers' International Union of North America, the United Association representing plumbers and pipefitters and IBEW Local 97, are also supportive. Some local officials and business leaders from Oswego County and other parts of the state are also backing the new group. — Marie J. French

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