N.Y. Public Authorities Law § 1910: Statement of legislative findings and intent

* § 1910. 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.

* NB Repealed December 31, 2031