Climate Change
ORES Issues Final Regulations for Streamlining Siting, Permitting, and Development of Large-Scale Renewables
On March 3, 2021, New York State’s newly formed Office of Renewable Energy Siting (“ORES”) issued final regulations for streamlining the siting, permitting, and development of large-scale renewable energy projects in the State. The regulations were promulgated pursuant to the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act and reflect the goals of the Climate Leadership…
New York State Issues Draft Value of Carbon Guidance for Comment
New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 (CLCPA) sets requirements and goals for statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions, plans to achieve net zero emissions across the State’s economy, and renewables targets. In accordance with the CLCPA, the New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC), in consultation with the New York State…
New York City Council Passes Major Amendment to Local Law 97 Affordable Housing Provisions
On October 29, 2020, the New York City Council passed Int. No 1947-A—a bill that significantly amends the affordable housing provisions of Local Law 97 of 2019 to require more buildings to meet greenhouse gas emissions caps. Local Law 97 and the technical amendments in Local Law 147 of 2019 require most new and existing…
NYC Issues Proposed Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Loan Regulations
In late October 2020, the New York City Department of Finance issued proposed regulations to implement a Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) loan program in NYC to provide targeted loans with favorable terms to building owners for installation of systems designed to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. The deadline to submit comments on the…
NYC Buildings Receive Their First Energy Efficiency Grades
On October 1, 2020, buildings over 25,000 square feet in New York City received their first energy efficiency grades from the City Department of Buildings (“DOB”). Buildings must post the grade “in a conspicuous location near each public entrance to such building” by October 30, 2020. Failure to do so will result in a fine…
New York State Proposes Specific Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets for 2030 and 2050
The New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 (CLCPA) requires statewide reductions of greenhouse gas emissions of 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050, as compared to 1990 levels, in order to help slow the rate of global climate change. The CLCPA directed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation…