On July 28, 2023, in response to three separate fires at Battery Energy Storage System (“BESS”) locations in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of an inter-agency fire safety working group. The Fire Safety Working Group, to be comprised of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Public Service, and the Department of State.Continue Reading Fires at New York Battery Energy Storage System Facilities Ignite State Response
Renewable Energy
Green for Green: New York’s Climate Justice Working Group Identifies Qualified Disadvantaged Communities for Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Investments
The New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (“CLCPA”) established ambitious targets to transform New York’s energy generation and efficiency. The CLCPA was signed into law in 2019 with goals to achieve 100% zero-emission electric generation by 2040 and greenhouse gas emission reduction to 85% below 1990 levels by 2050, among others. The clean energy investments contemplated by the CLCPA include $35 billion in large-scale renewable and transmission projects, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $1.8 billion for solar and more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives. Continue Reading Green for Green: New York’s Climate Justice Working Group Identifies Qualified Disadvantaged Communities for Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Investments
Lightning Round – New York’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting Promulgates Streamlined Siting Regulations for Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects
On March 2, 2021 New York’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (“ORES”) issued final regulations governing the siting of major renewable energy facilities pursuant to obligations established by the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act (the “Act”). The regulations serve as a tool to achieve the climate change targets established by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act…
Continue Reading Lightning Round – New York’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting Promulgates Streamlined Siting Regulations for Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects
Empire Wind: New York’s Latest Off-Shore Wind Energy Project
In December 2016, Norwegian developer Statoil won a bid to lease 79,000 acres of underwater land from the federal government for wind energy development. Statoil’s wind energy project will be located approximately fourteen miles south of Long Beach and the Rockaways and will extend out to a distance of 30 miles. The project, to be known as Empire Wind,…
Continue Reading Empire Wind: New York’s Latest Off-Shore Wind Energy Project
Renewable Energy – It’s Not Just Blowing In The Wind
New York State is actively promoting the development and implementation of renewable energy sources. New York State’s 2015 Energy Plan has a goal of 50% of power coming from renewable sources by 2030.
Late last year, the Governor directed the New York State Department of Public Service (NYSDPS) to develop a Clean Energy Standard that will mandate…
Continue Reading Renewable Energy – It’s Not Just Blowing In The Wind