ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PERMITTING LAW: LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMPACTS Introduction to New York’s Environmental Justice Permitting Law On December 31, 2022, Governor Hochul signed New York’s Environmental Justice Permitting Bill (S8830) into law, which will go into effect in June 2023. This law updates New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”), which requires…
Solar Leases: Landowner Considerations Background Solar developers are currently seeking parcels of land in New York State that are suitable for installing solar arrays. If a solar developer offers you a lease agreement, you want to ensure that the terms of the lease are fair and clearly identify who is responsible for certain obligations. Attorneys…
A New YIMBYs (Yes In My Backyard) Perspective on Housing Recently, the New York Times published a very interesting and informative article by Conor Dougherty chronicling the efforts of a group of people in California to reexamine some of the common assumptions related to the need for dense residential developments in our communities. Mr. Dougherty…
MAKE OLD MAN WINTER YOUR FRIEND We are now officially in the dead of winter. As the effects of winter bring ever increasing utility bills and cold and drafty homes, it is comforting to know that there is some help available, especially for seniors, to cope with old man winter. The New York State Office…
One More Step Towards New York’s Clean Energy Future I recently had the opportunity to attend an excellent presentation by Houtan Moveni from New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (“NYSERDA”), which was hosted by the Orange County Planning Department. Mr. Moveni discussed the action by the New York State Public Service Commission to…
Renewable Energy Solutions One would only need to take a quick look at recent international, national and local news to understand the need to support and promote efforts to provide renewable energy sources in our region, our country and the world. Internationally, Europe is facing one of the hottest, if not the hottest, summers on…
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS –A USEFUL TOOL WHEN PROPERLY ESTABLISHED AND ENFORCED A conservation easement is an important tool to conserve, preserve and protect environmental assets and natural and man-made resources, the preservation of open spaces, agricultural and forest lands, lands which are significant because of their scenic, natural beauty, wetland, shoreline, geological or ecological character, or…
Adapting To Climate Change Sabin Center for Climate Change The events of the last couple of weeks provide a clear demonstration of the very real effects of climate change. While there still may be a small minority of people who dispute whether climate change is caused, or at least exacerbated by human activity, even the…
Considering Solar? Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature have made solar growth a priority in New York State by offering attractive incentive packages for individuals, businesses and utility scale solar providers. In February, 2017, Governor Cuomo announced that state supported solar power in New York had increased nearly 800% from December, 2011…
The Sun Shines Through According to a recent article in Forbes Magazine, citing a U.S. Department of Energy report, the solar industry now employs more people (374,000) in the United States than coal, gas and oil combined. In New York State over 8,000 jobs are provided in the solar industry. While California is well ahead…
