• Financial Incentives include a variety of tax incentives, grants, loans, rebates, industry recruitment/support, bond programs, green building incentives, leasing/lease purchase programs and performance-based incentives.
     
  • Rules, Regulations & Policies include public benefits funds, renewable portfolio standards, net metering, interconnection standards, line-extension analysis, contractor licensing, equipment certification, solar/wind access laws, solar/wind permitting standards, construction & design standards (including building energy codes and energy standards for public buildings), mandatory utility green power options, and green power purchasing policies.

 

Financial Incentives for Energy Efficiency

In 2000, New York enacted a Green Building Tax Credit for business and personal income taxpayers. The credit can be applied against corporate taxes, personal income, insurance corporation taxes and banking corporation taxes. The incentive applies to owners and tenants of eligible buildings and tenant spaces which meet certain "green" standards. These standards increase energy efficiency, improve indoor air quality, and reduce the environmental impacts of large commercial and residential buildings in New York State, among other benefits. 

 

Energy Rebates Programs in New York

Projects can qualify for credits under six different program components:  

1.     Whole Building Credit (owner or tenant), where base building and all tenant space are green;  

2.     Base Building Credit (owner), for non-dwelling spaces;  

3.     Tenant Space Credit (owner or tenant), where the base building must be green to qualify if the tenant space is under 10,000 square feet;  

4.     Fuel Cell Credit, for systems fueled by a "qualifying alternate energy source";  

5.     Photovoltaic Module Credit; and  

6.     Green Refrigerant Credit, for new air conditioning equipment using an EPA-approved non-ozone depleting refrigerant.

 

Utility Rebate Programs in New York

The components 4, 5 and 6 above must serve green spaces. For example, to qualify for the PV Module Credit, the building which the system serves must meet all requirements for energy, indoor air quality, materials, water conservation and commissioning. Credit cannot be earned by simply placing a PV system, for example, on a building. 
 
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation must update the tax credit regulations (6NYCRR Part 638) before applications can be accepted for the $25 million allocated for Period II. The required amendment appeared on the DEC's 2009 annual regulatory agenda; however, as of July 2010 it does not appear that new rules have officially been proposed. Visit the program web site above for announcements regarding updated regulations.