Government Affairs Albany Update

May 13, 2005

Assemblyman Brodsky to Appear at May 23 GAC Meeting

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, Chairman of the Assembly Corporations, Authorities & Commissions Committee will be the guest speaker at the May 23rd meeting of the Government Affairs Council. This is a re-scheduled appearance from a previous GAC meeting that was cancelled. The meeting runs from 10:00 a.m. to noon and is being held at The Business Council's offices at 152 Washington Avenue.

Plastic Pipe Restrictions Bill on Assembly Labor Agenda
Staff Contacts: Ken Pokalsky

A.7566 sponsored by Susan John has been placed on the agenda in the Assembly Labor Committee set to meet on Tuesday, May 17th at 12:30 in room 524 of the LOB. The Business Council is opposed to this bill which would extend and make permanent a state prohibition on the use of plastic pipe and conduit in many construction applications.

New U.S.-Canadian Border Crossing Proposals
Staff Contact: Tom Minnick

The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has proposed new rules for additional documentation requirements for persons crossing the U.S.-Canadian border. Garry Douglas, President, Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce & Past Chairman of The Chamber Alliance of New York State will discuss what these proposals are, how they might affect our businesses and what we can do to participate in this proposal process at the next Business Council Transportation Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at The Business Council's Corporate Woods office in Albany.

NYSERDA Looking for Wind Equipment Installers

NYSERDA has announced approximately $2.5 million in incentives to encourage the development of a network of Eligible Installers who will install end-use wind energy turbines for residential, commercial, institutional or government use. The incentives, up to $100,000 per installation, will be paid to eligible installers who install approved, new grid-connected wind systems using qualified equipment.

Installers are encouraged to apply for eligibility through NYSERDA at any time during the program, expected to continue through June 2006. Installer eligibility will be determined and maintained for specific equipment, based on professional experience. Once deemed eligible, installers then apply for, and reserve NYSERDA incentive awards for approved, new grid-connected, end-use wind systems as prescribed in the Program Opportunity Notice.

Interested potential owners wishing to participate in this program are encouraged to contact eligible installers; a list of these installers will be posted on www.PowerNaturally.org

Instructions, requirements and application forms for this program are available directly from NYSERDA at www.nyserda.org under the Funding Opportunities heading and subheading PON 792, or by contacting NYSERDA at 1-866-NYSERDA or at info@nyserda.org.

Application forms will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are fully committed. Incentives cannot be approved for systems already installed (partially or completely).

Department of Taxation & Finance Organization Added to COST Program

The organization and structure of the Department of Taxation & Finance has been added as a program topic to the 2005 Conference On State Taxation (COST) at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs June 1 - 3.

This highly popular topic will lay out the organizational structure of the Department using personnel with their addresses and numbers in a flow chart format.