Environmental groups applauded the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting’s release of a final regulatory framework to accelerate renewable energy growth. The regulatory framework will dramatically speed up the development of renewable energy projects while maintaining the state’s strong environmental and public participation standards and help the state reach the goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The finalization of these regulations will help bolster New York’s clean energy economy and the tens of thousands of jobs that come with it.

Required as part of the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act which passed less than a year ago, the framework establishes standard permitting and operating conditions for large-scale renewable energy facilities. It also streamlines the process for developing renewable energy projects and proactively addresses recurring issues in siting and permitting large-scale projects in New York. Under Article 10, the current permitting process for large-scale siting renewable energy, it takes 5-10 years for projects to begin construction. The new process will ensure that New York can achieve its nation-leading goal of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% clean zero-carbon energy by 2040 as required by the CLCPA.

“We need to develop more renewable energy to solve the climate crisis and our state’s financial crisis. With these newly established rules and operating conditions, we will be able to move through the permitting process more quickly and efficiently, while protecting the environment and ensuring local communities see the economic benefits of these developments. The rapid adoption of these rules shows the state’s commitment to meeting the clean energy goals established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Thank you to the Office of Renewable Energy Siting for your leadership in creating green jobs and green power,” said Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV).

Anne Reynolds, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy stated, “The renewable energy industry welcomed the Legislature’s 2020 passage of permitting reform for wind and solar, and we are impressed that New York’s brand new Office of Renewable Energy Siting is right on time with issuing the new rules and uniform standards for these projects. Solar and wind energy projects bring tax revenue, construction jobs, and pollution-free power. To capture this economic benefit, New York needed a more standardized and efficient permitting process. Our industry looks forward to working with the state to continue to bring this investment to New York.”

News item from the New York League of Conservation Voters