The Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth & Community Benefit Act: Implications for Local Planners

The newly enacted Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth & Community Benefit Act has received significant publicity for its reworking of the state-level review of large scale renewables by creating new Executive Law Section 94-C.  But the law also created new authority within NYSERDA for developing projects and revamped the process for transmission projects under Public Service Law Article VII.  It also initiated the first formal Public Service Commission proceeding addressing community benefits, which may influence community benefit agreements on many types of projects.  Hodgson Russ attorney Dan Spitzer examined the new law, how the new regulatory environment may unfold, and reviewed potential impacts on local planning activities.