Summary
This bill would require that construction of all new state buildings, and substantial renovations of existing buildings, comply with energy consumption and resource use standards established by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in consultation with other state agencies and authorities. Further, the bill would authorize the Power Authority of the State of New York (PASNY) to enter into contractual arrangements for the financing of such projects.

Explanation
This bill would require the DEC to establish regulations related to the efficient use of energy and resources in new building or substantial renovations of existing state buildings. These standards would be informed by the rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council among other organizations. State agencies are New York’s number one energy user. Given the large number of facilities owned and operated by state government, meeting energy and resource performance standards would result in decreased energy use, increased use of recycled materials, and potential reduction in the state’s operations and maintenance costs over a building’s lifetime.

Environmental Advocates of New York supports this bill.