Climate Change & Resiliency
New York Denies Water Quality Permit for Another Natural Gas Pipeline
In late April, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYSDEC”) denied a Water Quality Certification (“WQC”) under the Clean Water Act to Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company (“Transco”) for the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement natural gas pipeline (the “Project”). Among other components, the Project would include a 17.4 mile underwater pipeline with a diameter…
Reviving a Clean Energy Agenda, New Jersey Sets an Ambitious Wind Energy Goal
On January 31, 2018, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order setting the state on track to develop 3,500 megawatts (“MW”) of offshore wind power by 2030. This target is among the most ambitious in the country and has the potential to power 1.5 million homes. This order follows New York’s recent issuance…
New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan is Released
Today, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan: Charting a Course to 2,400 Megawatts of Offshore Wind Energy. On behalf of the State, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) oversaw the preparation of the Master Plan and its 20 supporting studies. The…
New York State and City Pension Funds Will Divest from Fossil Fuel Companies
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio have both recently made significant climate change-related announcements: the State’s and City’s pension funds will divest billions of dollars from fossil fuel companies. These actions support state and local goals of reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and meeting the Paris Agreement…
Breaking: Payment of BCP, solar, low-income housing and other tax credits may be delayed
Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the details this week of a $168 billion proposed budget for FY 2019. In light of a potential budget deficit that could approach $4 billion, certain tax law changes are proposed. In recent years the proposed budget has been acted on by the Legislature and Governor before April 1st. Among the…
New York State Submits Area Off Long Island to Federal Government for Potential Wind Leasing
This week, the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (“NYSERDA”) officially submitted an area off the coast of Long Island, referred to as an Area for Consideration for the Potential Locating of Offshore Wind Energy Areas, to the federal government’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”). NYSERDA is proposing that BOEM consider identifying…