Bill > S08601

This bill establishes a comprehensive statewide building energy disclosure system that requires utilities and building owners to report detailed energy consumption data for large buildings (defined as structures with 20,000 square feet or more). The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will create an annual list of covered buildings and publish a public database with building-level energy usage and emissions calculations, which will be searchable by various criteria like municipality and building type. Utilities will be required to provide annual building-level energy usage data, and building owners must report non-utility energy usage, with specific data elements including annual energy consumption by fuel type, energy source details, and building characteristics. The bill includes several exemptions for buildings that are vacant, demolished, or under special circumstances, and allows for disputes and corrections to reported data. There are enforcement mechanisms with potential daily fines for non-compliance, and the bill also includes provisions for coordination with existing municipal benchmarking laws, allowing buildings in municipalities with similar reporting requirements to potentially satisfy the state-level requirements. The public service commission and department of environmental conservation are authorized to create implementing regulations, with the goal of increasing transparency and understanding of energy consumption across large buildings in New York State.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8601