Assembly GOP Calls for Transparency in Discount Energy Program
New York Assembly Republicans are urging the New York Power Authority to disclose discounts, energy use and taxpayer impacts associated with data centers participating in the ReCharge NY program. They also support legislation requiring high-demand customers to negotiate and cover the costs of utility service agreements.
Members of the New York State Assembly Republican Conference, led by Minority Leader Ed Ra, asked New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin Driscoll to release details about discounted electricity provided to data centers through the ReCharge NY economic development program. The lawmakers want information on participating facilities, discount rates, energy consumption and the program’s impact on taxpayers, arguing that data centers place unusual demands on the power grid.
Assembly Energy Committee ranking member Scott Gray has introduced legislation that would establish case-by-case service agreements between utilities and high-demand customers, subject to Public Service Commission approval. The proposal would require large energy users to bear the associated costs rather than ordinary ratepayers. NYPA had not responded to the publication’s request for comment by press time.