Bill > A01536

This bill enacts the "biomass fired exception program" to address the applicability of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) CO2 budget trading program to biomass-fired electric generating facilities that have converted from coal-fired generation. The bill aims to encourage the conversion of coal-fired facilities to biomass-fired facilities by treating them the same as new biomass facilities under RGGI regulations, which do not require biomass-fired facilities to acquire CO2 allowances. The bill defines key terms, such as "boiler," "combustion turbine," and "combined cycle system," and directs the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to promulgate rules and regulations to implement this exception for eligible biomass-fired facilities that meet certain conditions.