NY State Senate Bill 2023-S8546A

Senate Bill S8546A

2023-2024 Legislative Session

Requires certain renewable energy generating projects to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the operation and maintenance of such project with a bona fide labor organization

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Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Energy And Telecommunications Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 03, 2024	print number 8546a
May 03, 2024	amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
Feb 12, 2024	referred to energy and telecommunications

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2023-S8546 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Law Section:: Energy

2023-S8546 - Summary

Requires every renewable energy generating project receiving grants, guaranteed loans, tax benefits or funding from New York state to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the operation and maintenance of such project with a bona fide labor organization of jurisdiction that is actively engaged in representing transitioning utility workers in the fossil fuel industry.

2023-S8546 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8546

SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to requiring certain renewable energy generating
projects to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the operation
and maintenance of such project with a bona fide labor organization

 
PURPOSE:

To require certain renewable energy generating projects to enter into a
memorandum of understanding for the operation and maintenance of such
project with a bona fide labor organization

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 requires certain renewable energy developers receiving state
assistance to hire and maintain an operation and maintenance workforce
from those losing their jobs because of the transition away from fossil
fuels.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This initiative holds great potential to ensure a just transition for
fossil fuel workers, providing them with meaningful employment opportu-
nities in the rapidly growing renewable energy sector.

As we navigate the transition towards a more sustainable energy future,
it is essential that our policies not only prioritize environmental
considerations but also address the socio-economic impacts on the exist-
ing workforce. By mandating MOUs with labor organizations, we create a
structured mechanism to integrate transitioning fossil fuel workers into
the renewable energy sector.  This proactive approach not only safe-
guards the livelihoods of these workers but also fosters a fair and
inclusive green economy.

The MOUs can serve as a vital tool for collaboration between project
developers and labor organizations, outlining the terms and conditions
for the operation and maintenance of renewable energy projects. This
collaborative framework ensures that skilled workers, with valuable
experience in the energy sector, are actively engaged in the development
and operation of these projects.  Furthermore, it contributes to the
stability of the workforce, enhancing the overall success and sustaina-
bility of renewable energy initiatives.

New York State has consistently demonstrated leadership in advancing
clean energy initiatives, and integrating labor considerations into our
renewable energy projects aligns with our commitment to social responsi-
bility and the creation of stable, well-paying jobs that will benefit
our communities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2023-S8546 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8546
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 12, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. JACKSON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on  Energy  and  Telecommuni-
   cations
 
 AN  ACT  in  relation  to  requiring certain renewable energy generating
   projects to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the operation
   and maintenance of such project with a bona fide labor organization

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Every renewable energy generating project receiving grants,
 guaranteed  loans,  tax  benefits  or funding from New York state, shall
 demonstrate that the developer or other entities owning  such  renewable
 generating  project  has  entered into a memorandum of understanding for
 the operation and maintenance of such project with  a  bona  fide  labor
 organization  of  jurisdiction  that is actively engaged in representing
 transitioning utility workers in the fossil fuel industry. Such memoran-
 dum shall be entered into prior to the completion date of  such  project
 and  the  memorandum  shall be an ongoing material condition of authori-
 zation to operate and maintain the renewable energy project.  The  memo-
 randum  shall  only apply to employees necessary for the maintenance and
 operation of such renewable energy generation project.  Such  memorandum
 shall  contain,  but  not  be limited to, safety and training standards,
 disaster response measures, guaranteed hours, staffing levels, pay  rate
 protection and retraining programs.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
 
 
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14517-01-4

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2023-S8546A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Law Section:: Energy

2023-S8546A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S8546A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8546A

SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to requiring certain renewable energy generating
projects to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the operation
and maintenance of such project with a bona fide labor organization

 
PURPOSE:

To require certain renewable energy generating projects to enter into a
memorandum of understanding for the operation and maintenance of such
project with a bona fide labor organization

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 requires certain renewable energy developers receiving state
assistance to hire and maintain an operation and maintenance workforce
from those losing their jobs because of the transition away from fossil
fuels.

Second 2:

1. Requires the Department of Labor and the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority, to issue an annual report identify-
ing the job titles and skill sets required to maintain and operate any
and all renewable generation facilities and technologies approved by
law.

2. Requires the Department of Labor to compile a list, and update it
quarterly, of transitioning workers, who have lost their employment or
will be losing their employment in the fossil fuel energy sector.

3. Requires the Department of Labor to create a workforce development
program to provide training and retraining to transitioning fossil fuel
workers.

4. Requires transitioning fossil fuel workers to be given priority for
operation and maintenance positions at renewable energy generating
projects receiving grants, guaranteed loans, tax benefits or funding
from New York state, with priority first going to workers who have
successfully completed the department of labor workforce development
program.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This initiative holds great potential to ensure a just transition for
fossil fuel workers, providing them with meaningful employment opportu-
nities in the rapidly growing renewable energy sector.

As we navigate the transition towards a more sustainable energy future,
it is essential that our policies not only prioritize environmental
considerations but also address the socio-economic impacts on the exist-
ing workforce. By mandating MOUs with labor organizations, we create a
structured mechanism to integrate transitioning fossil fuel workers into
the renewable energy sector.  This proactive approach not only safe-
guards the livelihoods of these workers but also fosters a fair and
inclusive green economy.
The MOUs can serve as a vital tool for collaboration between project
developers and labor organizations, outlining the terms and conditions
for the operation and maintenance of renewable energy projects. This
collaborative framework ensures that skilled workers, with valuable
experience in the energy sector, are actively engaged in the development
and operation of these projects. Furthermore, it contributes to the
stability of the workforce, enhancing the overall success and sustaina-
bility of renewable energy initiatives.

New York State has consistently demonstrated leadership in advancing
clean energy initiatives, and integrating labor considerations into our
renewable energy projects aligns with our commitment to social responsi-
bility and the creation of stable, well-paying jobs that will benefit
our communities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2023-S8546A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8546--A
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 12, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sens. JACKSON, ADDABBO, HARCKHAM, MANNION, PALUMBO, PARK-
   ER, RAMOS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when  printed  to  be
   committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications -- commit-
   tee  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recom-
   mitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT in relation to  requiring  certain  renewable  energy  generating
   projects to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the operation
   and maintenance of such project with a bona fide labor organization
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Every renewable energy generating project receiving grants,
 guaranteed loans, tax benefits or funding from  New  York  state,  shall
 demonstrate  that  the developer or other entities owning such renewable
 energy generating project has entered into a memorandum of understanding
 for the operation and maintenance of such project with a bona fide labor
 organization of jurisdiction that is actively  engaged  in  representing
 transitioning utility workers in the fossil fuel industry. Such memoran-
 dum  shall  be entered into prior to the completion date of such project
 and the memorandum shall be an ongoing material  condition  of  authori-
 zation  to operate and maintain the renewable energy project.  The memo-
 randum shall only apply to employees necessary for the  maintenance  and
 operation  of  such renewable energy generation project. Such memorandum
 shall contain, but not be limited to,  safety  and  training  standards,
 disaster  response measures, guaranteed hours, staffing levels, pay rate
 protection and retraining programs.
   § 2. 1. The department of labor and the New York state energy research
 and development authority, in consultation with renewable energy  indus-
 try  stakeholders,  shall  issue  a report no later than the one hundred
 twentieth day after the effective date of this act that  identifies  the
 job  titles  and skill sets required to maintain and operate any and all
 renewable generation facilities and technologies approved by  law.  Such
 report shall be updated annually.
   2.  Within one hundred twenty days after such report required pursuant
 to subdivision one of this section is issued, the department  of  labor,
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14517-02-4
 S. 8546--A                          2
 
 in consultation with affected bona fide labor organizations of jurisdic-
 tion  in  the  utility  industry,  shall compile a list of transitioning
 workers, who have lost their employment or will be losing their  employ-
 ment  in the fossil fuel energy sector. Such list shall be updated quar-
 terly.
   3. Within six months after the effective date of this act, the depart-
 ment of labor shall, in  consultation  with  renewable  energy  industry
 stakeholders  and affected bona fide labor organizations of jurisdiction
 in the utility industry, create a workforce development  program,  which
 shall provide training and retraining to those transitioning fossil-fuel
 workers.  Such  program,  at a minimum, shall address the job titles and
 skill sets, as identified by the report required pursuant to subdivision
 one of this section, necessary to qualify for  renewable  energy  gener-
 ation  operation and maintenance positions and shall offer a combination
 of on-the-job training, where  applicable,  and  classroom  job  related
 instruction to transitioning workers.
   4. The transitioning workers, identified by the list compiled pursuant
 to subdivision two of this section and which have successfully completed
 the  department of labor workforce development program, if it exists, as
 created and required by subdivision three  of  this  section,  shall  be
 offered  to  first,  any  and all operation and maintenance positions at
 renewable energy generating projects receiving grants, guaranteed loans,
 tax benefits or funding from New York state. Should there be  no  candi-
 dates  available  from  the  list  of  transitioning  workers which have
 completed such program such renewable energy generating project may hire
 transitioning workers off  such  list  which  have  not  completed  such
 program.  The  department of labor shall make such list available to the
 New York state energy research and development authority and any and all
 renewable energy generating project receiving grants, guaranteed  loans,
 tax  benefits  or funding from New York state upon award of such govern-
 ment assistance and ninety days prior to completion of such project.
   § 3.  This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S8546A

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Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Energy And Telecommunications Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2023-S8546 - Details

2023-S8546 - Summary

2023-S8546 - Sponsor Memo

2023-S8546 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2023-S8546A (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S8546A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S8546A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S8546A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments