Climate, Environment & Energy

Our 2026 Legislative Session Summary report highlights selected bills that passed both the Senate and Assembly in 2026 and may directly or indirectly impact counties if enacted. Each entry includes the bill number (linked to the bill text), a summary, and the bill’s current status:

NYSAC released a new report outlining county-led recommendations to better balance New York's renewable energy goals with the need to protect productive farmland, support local communities, and maintain a reliable and affordable energy system.

The report, Balancing Renewable Energy Siting and Farmland Protection in New York State, reflects the work of NYSAC's Steering Committee on Energy Siting and Farmland Protection and incorporates feedback from county leaders across the state. 

Counties are on the front lines of environmental protection—from maintaining water infrastructure to helping residents reduce energy costs and modernizing local fleets. This Earth Day, we are calling on state leaders to deliver a final budget that gives counties the tools they need to meet these responsibilities.

New York is facing rising demand for electricity while its power generation stations are aging at the same time it needs the ability to tap energy resources quickly to maintain the reliability of its grid.

There is over $265 million in funding available in the 2025 CFA application, which closes at the end of the month, on July 31st at 4:00PM. There are a wide range of programs that local governments are eligible to apply for.

Counties call for strategic action to support a more robust and affordable energy supply for communities for new housing projects, economic development, and a stronger grid infrastructure amid the state’s renewable energy transition

Following the adoption of the state budget, NYSAC prepares a Legislative Program outlining our priorities for the remainder of the legislative session. With the budget so late this year, we're releasing it a little... early?

Learn about NYSAC's top priorities for the remainder of the 2025 State Legislative Session.

Limited landfill capacity across New York has county and municipal governments scrambling to frame plans for getting ahead of the looming solid waste crisis.

With NY's again water infrastructure in dire need of repair, NYSAC calling on the state legislators to include  this CHIPS-like program for water infrastructure in this year's State Budget.

Read NYSAC's annual report on Governor Hochul's proposed State Budget.