Bill > A06498

This bill modifies the legal framework for contracts entered into by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), primarily focusing on emergency procurement and short-term power agreements. The bill introduces two new definitions: "short-term public power purchase agreement" for contracts lasting less than five years involving power, energy, fuel, and related services, and "contracts for emergency goods or services" for procurement made to address unforeseen emergencies or critical infrastructure repairs. The legislation allows LIPA to enter into emergency contracts and short-term power purchase agreements without being subject to standard bidding and pre-audit requirements, though these contracts must follow guidelines established by the state comptroller. Contracts exceeding a specified monetary threshold must be approved by the comptroller's office and filed within a specified timeframe (forty-eight hours for emergency contracts). The bill also updates provisions related to emergency power services during prolonged outages, requiring local municipalities to provide lists of critical service facilities and ensuring that LIPA can quickly respond to situations that might compromise public welfare. These changes are designed to provide LIPA with more flexibility in managing emergency situations and procurement while maintaining oversight through comptroller guidelines.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6498