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A 9041

Prohibits utilities from raising rates while reporting high profits and requires utilities to reinvest revenues into New York's energy infrastructure, safety, and reliability

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Angelo Santabarbara

Bars NY utilities from raising rates during high profits and requires reinvesting those profits into New York's energy infrastructure, safety, and reliability.

REFERRED TO ENERGY
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Bill Summary · A 9041

Summary of Bill A 9041

Quick overview

  • Bill number: A 9041
  • Title / purpose: Prohibits utilities from raising rates while reporting high profits and requires utilities to reinvest revenues into New York's energy infrastructure, safety, and reliability
  • Sponsor: Angelo Santabarbara (primary)
  • Committee: ENERGY
  • Status: Referred to ENERGY (as of 2025-09-05)
  • Introduced: September 5, 2025

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to protect ratepayers by restricting utility rate increases during periods when a utility reports high profits, and to ensure that any revenues associated with those profits are reinvested into New York’s energy system. The intended outcome is to balance consumer interests with the need to modernize and strengthen the state’s energy infrastructure, improve safety, and enhance grid reliability.

Key provisions (as described)

  • Rate increase prohibition during high profits: Utilities would be barred from raising customer rates during periods when they report high profits, according to a standard defined in the bill (the explicit threshold would be set forth in the bill’s text). This provision targets ratepayer protection in times of robust utility earnings.
  • Reinvestment of revenues: Utilities would be required to reinvest revenues associated with those profits into New York’s energy infrastructure, safety measures, and reliability improvements. Investments would presumably be directed toward grid modernization, resilience, safety upgrades, and related projects within the state.
  • Regulatory oversight and reporting (implied): To enforce these requirements, the bill would likely establish reporting and oversight mechanisms for regulators (such as the state energy authorities or the Public Service Commission) to monitor compliance and validate that revenues are reinvested as prescribed. The exact oversight framework would be detailed in the bill text.

Who would be affected

  • Utility companies operating in New York: Subject to new rate-relief and reinvestment requirements.
  • Ratepayers (households and businesses) in New York: Potentially benefit from protections against rate increases during high-profit periods.
  • State energy regulators (e.g., Public Service Commission): Responsible for enforcement, reporting, and oversight if provisions are implemented.
  • New York energy infrastructure programs: Expected beneficiaries of redirected investments aimed at reliability and safety.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill is currently in the ENERGY committee after being introduced on September 5, 2025.
  • Legislative path would typically include committee consideration, potential amendments, floor votes in the Assembly, and must pass the Senate (if applicable) and receive the governor’s signature to become law.
  • No specific implementation timeline is provided in the available information; the bill text would define any effective dates or transition periods if enacted.

Notes

  • Specific definitions (e.g., what constitutes “high profits”) and any exceptions or transitional provisions are not provided in the summary and would be defined in the full bill text.

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

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