Bill > A06489

This bill establishes the "Bucks for Boilers" program, a comprehensive initiative to help New York residential buildings transition from fossil fuel heating systems to electric heat pumps and high-energy efficiency upgrades. The program creates a dedicated fund to provide financial assistance to residential building owners and renters, with a sliding scale of support based on household income. Low-to-moderate income households can receive 100% project funding, while medium-income households can get 80% coverage, and high-income households can receive 50% funding. The program prioritizes disadvantaged communities, buildings using delivered fuels like propane and heating oil, and aims to upgrade dilapidated housing. Key provisions include prohibiting landlords from increasing rents for energy efficiency improvements, protecting tenant rights, and requiring efforts to hire formerly incarcerated individuals for installation work. The bill also sets emissions standards that will gradually prohibit high-carbon-emission heating systems in existing buildings, with deadlines in 2029 and 2034. Additionally, the program includes measures to ensure affordability, such as assistance programs to help low-income households manage potential increases in utility costs from transitioning to electric systems. The initiative is part of New York's broader climate change and clean energy agenda, seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support environmental sustainability.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6489