S1804

The New York State Senate passed S1804, sponsored by Sen. Addabbo, an act to amend the Public Service Law. The bill received 60 affirmative votes and was approved without opposition. The measure, which carried Calendar Number 371, takes effect immediately upon enactment.

The New York State Senate passed S1804, an act to amend the Public Service Law requiring utilities to provide customers notice of rate changes, by a vote of 62-1 on March 14. The bill's passage came after Sen. Stec appealed Acting President Bailey's ruling that an amendment requiring state cost analysis of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was nongermane. Stec argued the amendment was germane because it related to transparency of electrical energy costs and contended New Yorkers have a right to know the costs of transitioning to renewable energy. He cited the Climate Action Council's estimate of $300 billion in costs—which he called likely understated—and pointed to the Port of Albany wind turbine project, whose cost estimate doubled from $350 million to $700 million, as evidence that state projects frequently experience cost escalation. The appeal was defeated on a show of hands vote of 21 ayes, and the bill was restored to the noncontroversial calendar for final passage. Only Sen. Walczyk voted against the measure.