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S 9500

Establishes the New York State grid reliability and energy affordability transition (GREAT) act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kristen Gonzalez and 2 co-sponsors

The GREAT Act aims to boost New York’s grid reliability while reducing energy costs and advancing clean energy through modernization, planning, and consumer protections.

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Bill Summary · S 9500

Summary of S. 9500 (2025-2026) – New York: GREAT Act (Grid Reliability and Energy Affordability Transition)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the New York State grid reliability and energy affordability transition (GREAT) Act.
  • Aims to enhance electrical grid reliability while advancing energy affordability for consumers and supporting clean energy transition in New York.
  • Introduced with co-sponsors Michelle Hinchey, Rachel May, and Kristen Gonzalez; referred to the Senate’s Energy and Telecommunications Committee, with a later amend-and-recommit action.

Key provisions and changes (highlights)

  • Grid Reliability mandate: Creates framework and authorities to improve the reliability and resilience of the statewide electric grid, addressing potential reliability gaps and ensuring consistent service.
  • Energy Affordability objectives: Implements measures intended to reduce energy costs for consumers, targeting household and business bill protection as part of the transition.
  • Clean energy integration: Promotes deployment and integration of renewable energy resources and other clean technologies within the grid, with attention to compatibility with reliability goals.
  • Investment and funding mechanisms: Establishes or directs funding streams to support grid upgrades, modernization projects, and related infrastructure enhancements necessary for reliability and affordability.
  • Planning and governance: Sets up planning processes or regulatory oversight to coordinate reliability, affordability, and clean energy deployment across state agencies, utilities, and stakeholders.
  • Consumer protections and rate design: May include provisions to protect ratepayers, potentially through rate design changes, affordability programs, or targeted subsidies during the transition.
  • Data, analytics, and reporting: Requires measurement, monitoring, and reporting on grid performance, affordability metrics, and progress toward established reliability and transition goals.

Who would be affected

  • Electric utilities and distribution companies operating in New York State, which would implement grid upgrades and reliability initiatives.
  • Ratepayers and utility customers, who could benefit from affordability measures and more reliable service.
  • State agencies (including energy, environmental, and public service entities) responsible for planning, oversight, and funding decisions.
  • Clean energy developers and project developers participating in grid modernization and renewable integration efforts.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Initial action: Referred to the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee on March 18, 2026.
  • Subsequent actions: Amendments and recommitment process noted on May 19, 2026, with Print Number 9500A indicating a revised version of the bill.
  • As typical for such bills, the next steps would involve committee consideration, potential floor votes, and reconciliation with any companion Assembly bill, followed by enactment and effective dates specified within the final text.

Considerations for readers

  • The bill is framed as a comprehensive approach to strengthen grid reliability while pursuing affordability and clean energy goals, rather than focusing solely on one aspect.
  • Specific dollar amounts, timelines, and implementation mechanisms would be detailed in the final text (Print 9500A) and any accompanying fiscal notes or regulatory language.
  • The balance between reliability investments and ratepayer protections will be central to assessing its impact on households and businesses.

If you’d like, I can extract and summarize the exact monetary figures, timeline milestones, and governance language from the final bill text (Print 9500A) once available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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