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NY A02720

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/22/2025

Primary Sponsor

Sarahana Shrestha

Click for details

Origin

Assembly

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Establishes the "Solar for Schools Act" creating a competitive grant program administered by NYSERDA and the New York Power Authority to fund solar and geothermal energy projects at public school facilities

  • Provides grants covering 50% of eligible project costs, with $500 million appropriated for the program, and funds disbursed before work begins

  • Requires applicants to seek federal Inflation Reduction Act funding and prohibits total outside funding from exceeding project costs

  • Mandates all projects be performed under project labor agreements with prevailing wage requirements, apprenticeship agreements, and U.S.-made components (with waiver provisions)

  • Prioritizes grants based on factors including location in disadvantaged communities, projected energy production, lack of air conditioning, local asthma rates, and emission reduction potential; program runs from July 1, 2025 through the 2035-2036 academic year

Legislative Description

Enacts the solar for schools act which provides grants for eligible school districts to purchase and install solar and geothermal power sources; defines terms; directs the New York state energy and research development authority to establish such grant program; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof; makes an appropriation therefor.

Last Action

referred to energy

1/7/2026

Committee Referrals

Energy3/21/2025
Corporations, Authorities and Commissions1/22/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available