Governor Hochul has presented her State of the State Address and put forth the Administration’s 2026-27 State Budget proposals.
To support the state’s transition to reliable and affordable clean energy, the Governor’s state of the state presentation:
- Directed the New York Power Authority and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to update regulations to facilitate and accelerate deployment of clean energy projects;
- Advance a new initiative to establish a clear pathway for additional advanced nuclear generation to support grid reliability;
- Launched a workforce development initiative to build a skilled, in-state nuclear workforce through coordinated education and training pathways;
- Advanced a proposal to update how State Building Aid is applied to give school districts greater flexibility to install effective renewable energy systems, including ground-mounted solar where appropriate;
- Establish a sales tax exemption for electricity used to recharge electric vehicles at commercial charging stations;
- Introduced a program to expand opportunities for farmers to integrate solar energy development while maintaining productive agricultural land; and
- Expanded enforceable cybersecurity requirements to operational technology that controls power generation, transmission, and distribution.
State Budget Proposal
In addition, the Governor has introduced her state budget proposal for the State Fiscal Year that begins April 1, 2026.
The Executive Budget provides $50 million for NYSERDA’s EmPower Plus program to help low-income families electrify their homes by installing energy efficient appliances and switch to more efficient electric heating systems.
It also recommends a $5 million appropriation for a new Mechanical Insulation Energy Savings Program, which would provide grants to public housing, public hospitals, and school districts for mechanical insulation that increases the energy efficiency of their heating and cooling systems.
The budget establishes a Sales Tax Exemption on the retail sale of electricity used to recharge an EV by a commercial EV charging station. It also reappropriates $1 billion in Capital Projects funding for the Sustainable Future Program.
