STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 7404 2021-2022 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY May 7, 2021 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. STECK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Energy AN ACT to authorize the New York state energy research and development authority to enter into agreements to establish a New York renewable energy laboratory The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Legislative findings. New York state is committed to 2 expanding and advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects 3 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce out of state dependency on 4 fossil fuels, promote public health and create new jobs. The goal of 5 this act is to make the state of New York a national and global leader 6 in renewable energy research and development. 7 § 2. For purposes of this act "NYREL" means the New York renewable 8 energy laboratory. 9 § 3. (a) The New York state energy research and development authority 10 shall undertake to establish, through public and private partnerships, 11 which shall include New York based colleges and universities, private 12 businesses, and not-for-profit entities, a NYREL to be headquartered 13 near JFK International Airport in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. Such 14 laboratory shall be an independent not-for-profit corporation organized 15 under the laws of the state of New York. It shall be governed by a board 16 of directors which shall have seventeen members. 17 (b) Such board shall include: 18 (i) one member appointed by the chancellor of the city university of 19 New York (CUNY); 20 (ii) one member appointed by the chancellor of the state university of 21 New York (SUNY); 22 (iii) four members appointed by the governor; one of whom shall be 23 appointed by the governor to be the chair; 24 (iv) two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate; EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD05616-02-1A. 7404 2 1 (v) two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly; 2 (vi) the president of the New York state energy research and develop- 3 ment authority; 4 (vii) the president of empire state development; 5 (viii) the president of the New York power authority; 6 (ix) the president of the Long Island power authority; 7 (x) the commissioner of the department of environmental conservation; 8 (xi) the commissioner of the department of transportation; and 9 (xii) the chair of the New York public service commission. 10 (c) The New York state energy research and development authority shall 11 work with collaborating businesses and educational institutions to 12 ensure that a cooperative working relationship is established between 13 those institutions and potential participants of such research institute 14 so that resources are made available and used in a responsible manner to 15 support the successful development of the proposed research laboratory 16 and the creation of ongoing linkages between the training, research, 17 development, demonstration and technology transfer resources of the 18 region's higher education institutions, and private sector businesses. 19 (d) The mission of NYREL is to develop renewable energy and energy 20 efficiency technologies and practices, advance related science and engi- 21 neering, create jobs, promote economic development and manufacturing, 22 and transfer knowledge and innovations to address the state's energy and 23 environmental goals. NYREL shall emphasize a comprehensive energy 24 approach that encompasses the relationship among key systems: fuel 25 production; transportation; the built environment; and electricity 26 generation and delivery. Areas of research and development shall include 27 but not be limited to the following: solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, 28 energy storage, energy efficiency, hydropower, biofuel, smart grids and 29 alternative transportation, including electric vehicles. NYREL shall 30 have an education and training component. NYREL shall include a goal to 31 recruit minority students, scientists, engineers and MWBEs in its 32 programs. 33 (e) NYREL shall seek to develop partnerships especially with CUNY and 34 SUNY campuses in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, 35 Hudson Valley, Long Island and the city of New York. 36 § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.