ALBANY, N.Y. — Negotiations are continuing over a proposal to allow the New York Power Authority to have a broader ability to build and own new renewable energy projects — with the governor’s office circulating a new version earlier this week.

Gov. Kathy Hochul included a version of the measure that excluded labor standards, an expanded board and other provisions pushed by supporters of a Senate-passed bill in her executive budget in February. The circulation of new language obtained by POLITICO indicates the issue remains live in negotiations as the budget overtime clock continues for the fiscal year that started April 1.

Why it matters: Proponents of allowing NYPA to build and own renewables say it would jump-start development of new projects in the state because many privately owned projects with state contracts are just beginning to move toward construction.

Opponents of the measure, including industry groups representing developers and incumbent generation owners, argue it will stifle private investment that’s underway and won’t speed development because NYPA would still have to go through standard permitting and interconnection processes.

...