Governor Hochul Signed New York Climate Legislation
The state has enacted three laws aimed at boosting clean energy and green landscaping across New York.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Environmental
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Governor Kathy Hochul signed three pieces of legislation targeting greenhouse gas emissions and environmental education. The package introduces rebates for electric landscaping equipment and expands financing options for clean energy projects in school districts.
Why it matters
These measures seek to reduce air and noise pollution while making sustainable infrastructure upgrades more financially accessible for schools and public institutions. By extending financing terms, the state aims to accelerate the transition to renewable energy systems.
The new law mandates a 25-year recovery period for energy performance contracts, up from the previous 18-year limit. The electric landscaping rebate program is available to state agencies, local governments, and schools.
The players
Kathy Hochul
She serves as the Governor of New York and signed the three new environmental laws.
State University of New York at Stony Brook
This institution serves as the lead organization for the New York Climate Exchange.
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York
This state agency is authorized to provide financing for the New York Climate Exchange project.
The details
The legislation authorizes the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to finance the New York Climate Exchange, which is led by the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Additionally, the rebate program incentivizes the voluntary adoption of emission-free mowers to improve air quality.
Timeline
Governor Hochul signed the three pieces of legislation on September 28, 2026.
The New York Climate Exchange campus is projected to open on Governors Island in 2029.
Deeper Dive
This legislation updates New York State energy performance contract recovery period statutes to better align with long-term capital investments. It marks a shift from the previous 18-year limit to a 25-year duration to support sustainable school upgrades.
School districts can now leverage utility savings over a longer period to fund clean energy projects, potentially lowering facility costs. Meanwhile, public and commercial entities may soon utilize rebates to transition to quieter, electric landscaping equipment.
The takeaway
These laws signal a broader state effort to integrate financial flexibility into environmental sustainability goals. Schools and local governments should monitor upcoming rebate guidelines to determine eligibility for new electric equipment incentives.
Further reading
For more on state policy, visit the Environmental section.
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