NYPA was granted authority to work with the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program to provide renewable energy bill credits to low-income New Yorkers in disadvantaged communities.
REACH bill credits will be funded through the production of renewable energy products developed by or for NYPA, voluntary contributions, and other funding sources.
More specifically, under REACH, NYPA, either alone or with partners, will develop a portfolio of renewable energy and energy storage projects and distribute a portion of the revenue from these projects, along with any voluntary contributions received and other funds, to the state’s investor-owned utilities. They will use these funds to generate bill credits for low-income energy consumers in disadvantaged communities who are enrolled in their utility’s Energy Affordability Program (“EAP”).
In January 2024, NYPA filed a petition with the PSC to begin the process of establishing the REACH program.
On October 16, 2024, after public notice and comment, the PSC issued an “Order Implementing Renewable Energy Access and Community Help Program,” in Case No. 24-E-0084, approving NYPA’s REACH petition with modifications (the "REACH Order”). The REACH Order incorporated NYPA’s proposal, as set forth in the REACH petition, to receive voluntary contributions from third parties, such as private developers, seeking to benefit disadvantaged communities by supporting REACH.
On October 7, 2025, NYPA released a Request for Application to provide a simple mechanism for renewable energy developers, battery storage developers, and other interested entities to make voluntary contributions to the REACH program to provide utility bill relief to low-income New Yorkers in disadvantaged communities.
Read the NYPA Report on Feasibility and Advisability of REACH-like program for Municipal and Rural Cooperative Utilities here.
If you have questions or would like more information, email us at REACH@nypa.gov
Q: Will REACH be implemented in the service territories of municipal utilities and rural cooperatives?
A: Given the unique characteristics of the state’s municipal utilities and rural cooperatives, the New Law did not authorize REACH to be implemented for these entities. Instead, NYPA was directed to study the feasibility and advisability of a REACH-like program for these utility service territories. It will report on its findings in May 2024. You can review the report here.