Bill > S01861

This bill enacts the "biomass fired exception program" to provide an exception for certain biomass-fired electric generation facilities from being defined as a fossil fuel-fired facility for the purposes of the CO2 budget trading program under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Specifically, the bill requires the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to promulgate rules and regulations to treat formerly coal-fired electric generating facilities that convert to primarily biomass-fired facilities in the same manner as a new biomass facility under the RGGI regulations. This is intended to encourage the conversion of coal-fired facilities to biomass-fired facilities, which are considered more sustainable and environmentally-friendly.