NYSERDA LARGE-SCALE Environmental Resources Policies

Advancing responsible solar development in a way that considers the State’s important agricultural and forest resources. In 2019, New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) was signed into law. It is among the most ambitious climate laws in the world, with a requirement of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030. The Climate Act is spurring unprecedented renewable energy development growth across the State and is expected to result in an additional 10 gigawatts of large-scale solar capacity and 10 gigawatts of distributed solar generation by 2030. As a result, balancing the need to site renewable projects efficiently while considering a broad spectrum of land use interests, most notably agriculture, has become an increasing priority. While the Climate Act includes ambitious renewable energy goals, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and State partners are continually strengthening policies related to the protection and conservation of agricultural practices and resources. Implementing new policies and requirements have allowed the State to advance responsible solar development in a way that considers the State’s important agricultural and environmental resources.