N.Y. Pub. Auth. Law § 1910

Current through 2024 NY Law Chapter 456

Section 1910 - [Expires Effective 12/31/2031] Statement of legislative findings and intent

1. Findings. The legislature hereby finds, determines, and declares:

(a) New York will need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects, both large-scale and distributed energy systems, in order to achieve the mandates of the New York state climate leadership and community protection act enacted as chapter one hundred six of the laws of two thousand nineteen (the "CLCPA").

(b) In addition to the authority's procurement programs and improved state permitting processes, renewable energy projects require collaboration between host communities and renewable energy developers in order to be successfully and appropriately sited and constructed.

(c) Local land use decisions are important to meeting the goals of the CLCPA, but communities often do not have capacity or sufficient tools and information to effectively plan for renewable energy siting.

(d) Community concerns regarding the potential impacts of large-scale and distributed energy systems are different, but both can provide energy cost savings for residents and businesses in the community, local infrastructure improvement, local tax revenue and economic benefits, local job creation, and cleaner air.

(e) There has been a lack of information about the local benefits and impacts of renewable energy technology development and the best ways for communities to maximize benefits while avoiding and mitigating impacts.

(f) A multi-pronged approach is necessary to provide communities, including disadvantaged communities as designated under the CLCPA, with the information and tools necessary to support the appropriate siting and acceptance of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, storage and transmission and distribution upgrades.

2. Intent. It is the intent of the legislature in enacting this title to empower the authority to establish effective programs and mechanisms to:

(a) Educate the public and build consensus on the benefits of a shift to renewable energy technologies, which will provide jobs, lower energy costs and reduce price volatility, and reduce the need for fossil fuel based power, bringing clean air and public health benefits and reduced greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change and its impacts;

(b) Provide information and assistance to communities and local representatives to promote the appropriate and successful siting of renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, storage and transmission and distribution system upgrades;

(c) Equip local governments with the tools they need to effectively consider natural and working lands, the potential for co-location and dual-use solutions, effective utilization of previously disturbed or developed sites, and protecting disadvantaged communities when planning for renewable energy projects in their communities; and

(d) Help communities develop and adopt local planning, zoning and other policies that support the sustainable and equitable development of local renewable energy technology through processes that ensure and enhance public outreach, education and engagement, particularly in frontline communities that have historically been disenfranchised and discriminated against in the local land use decision-making process.

N.Y. Pub. Auth. Law § 1910

Amended by New York Laws 2024, ch. 106,Sec. 2, eff. 12/22/2023.

Added by New York Laws 2023, ch. 759,Sec. 1, eff. 12/22/2023, exp. 12/31/2031.