2004 Yellow Book
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NYS ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (Summary)
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Adjusted
Appropriation
2003-04
Executive
Request
2004-05
Change Percent
Change


AGENCY SUMMARY

Special Revenue-Other 14,656,000 14,656,000 0 0.0%
Capital 13,367,000 11,467,000 (1,900,000) -14.2%

Total for AGENCY SUMMARY: 28,023,000 26,123,000 (1,900,000) -6.8%

* 2000-01 through 2002-03 reflect enacted appropriations.
* 2003-04 and 2004-05 reflect Executive recommended appropriations.

Budget Highlights

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation responsible for the management of energy research, development, and demonstration programs which are funded by assessments on gas and electric utilities. NYSERDA also administers Federal grant programs related to energy efficiency, issues tax-exempt bonds on behalf of private energy supply companies for environmental improvements, and carries out the programmatic and regulatory functions of the former State Energy Office. In addition, NYSERDA administers the Systems Benefit Charge (SBC) that was established by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to fund energy, environmental, and low-income customer programs. Finally, NYSERDA manages the former nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at West Valley in Cattaraugus County and the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park (STEP) in Saratoga County.

The Authority is included in the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation appropriation bill.

The Executive recommends an All Funds appropriation of $26,123,000, a net decrease of $1,900,000, or 6.8 percent from SFY 2003-04.

State Operations

The Executive proposes no changes to the State Operations appropriation from State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2003-04. The recommended appropriation remains at $14,656,000.

Capital Projects

The Executive recommends a Capital Projects appropriation of $11,467,000 in SFY 2004-05, $11,350,000 of which is to support costs related to the Western New York Nuclear Service Center at West Valley. This is a $1,900,000 decrease from SFY 2003-04, and is the result of a corresponding decrease in Federal funding. This ongoing project entails the vitrification of spent nuclear fuel and is primarily funded (90 percent) by the Federal Government, with additional support from the State (10 percent).

In addition, the Executive proposes to maintain an appropriation of $117,000 from the Clean Water/Clean Air Implementation Fund to support personnel costs associated with the Clean Fuel Buses component of the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.

Article VII Proposals

The Executive proposes Article VII legislation to authorize the use of utility assessments collected pursuant to Section 18-a of the Public Service Law to support the Authority’s Research, Development and Demonstration Program, and Policy and Planning Program at $14.7 million.

In addition, the Executive recommends legislation to authorize NYSERDA to make a payment of $913,000 to the General Fund from unrestricted corporate funds. These funds will help offset New York State’s debt service requirements related to West Valley. This legislation would also authorize NYSERDA to make payments of $330,000 to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Environmental Conservation Special Revenue Fund, Low- level Radioactive Waste Account from funds rebated to New York from the Federal government.

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