New York State's official involvement in energy issues dates from 1972, when the legislature determined the State's continuing economic growth and development, combined with environmental, social, and other economic issues, required a consolidated energy-planning effort. Chapter 386 of the Laws of 1972 established the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy for the State of New York. The commission, consisting of ten members appointed by the majority and minority leaders of the senate and assembly, was mandated to develop and report on a comprehensive State energy policy. This commission was succeeded in 1975 (Chapter 460) by the Legislative Commission on Energy Systems. This commission, also comprising ten legislative appointees, studied and reported on existing power resources and needs and potential alternate power systems. Chapter 819 of the Laws of 1976 finally established a permanent State Energy Office to advise State government and the public on energy matters, promote and plan for energy conservation, coordinate State energy programs with federal programs, and develop and implement energy codes and standards. The Emergency Fuel Office (established by Executive Order No. 5, 1974 to regulate supplies and promote conservation of petroleum products during the energy crisis of the 1970s) and the Atomic Energy Council (Laws of 1968, Chapter 947), to regulate atomic energy and promote its development and peaceful use) were abolished and their related functions transferred to the SEO. The SEO was subject to audit by the Department of Audit and Control every four years, upon completion of which a commission was appointed to determine if the office should continue unchanged, be changed in some way, or be dissolved. In 1995, the State Energy Office was abolished (Laws of 1995, Chapter 83) and its functions, powers, and duties were transferred to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
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The State Energy Office (SEO) was responsible for assisting the governor and legislature in the development and implementation of State policies relating to energy and energy sources. The State Energy Office carried out its planning and policy analysis functions by conducting studies related to energy supply, demand, and distribution; representing the state in energy and energy resource matters; participating in various energy-related intergovernmental and interagency task forces and working groups; and implementing the office's emergency preparedness, nuclear, and petroleum products programs. Responsibilities for energy conservation included the development and implementation for the State Energy Conservation Construction Code; the State Lighting Efficiency Standards for Existing Buildings; the Truth-in-Heating requirements related to rentals and sales of residences; average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles purchased by the State; energy efficiency standards for various appliances; and administration of the State's federal conservation programs, including the State Energy Conservation Plan. The conservation program effort was aimed at providing long-term benefits to the State's consumers in restitution for overcharges by many of the nation's major oil companies between 1973 and 1981. A variety of conservation programs, funded with monies recovered by the federal government, provided energy-saving information, services, training, and technical and financial assistance to all sectors--residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and transportational. The office provided public information and educational programs promoting conservation and renewable resources for the public, news media, business, and schools and operated a toll-free statewide hotline for individualized energy assistance. The Energy Office also conducted activities to promote the development of renewable resources and energy resources indigenous to the State.
