Bill > A06015

This bill introduces several changes to New York state law regarding renewable energy and tax calculations. First, it modifies existing municipal and education law to exclude certain renewable energy pilot program payments and energy system-related payments in lieu of taxes from tax cap calculations, which could provide financial flexibility for local governments. More significantly, the bill establishes a new Distributed Generation Energy Development Program within the Office of Renewable Energy Siting, creating a streamlined state-level appeals process for proposed renewable energy projects with a capacity of up to 20,000 kilowatts. This program aims to accelerate renewable energy development by providing a single forum for resolving local permitting challenges, particularly for projects facing unreasonable local restrictions or delays. The appeals process has a strict 60-day timeline and allows the state office to override local regulations that are deemed unreasonably burdensome, in support of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) renewable energy targets. Projects can appeal local permit denials, site plan rejections, or excessive delays through this new mechanism, with the goal of expediting the development of distributed generation energy facilities across New York state.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6015