Under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), New York has set among the most aggressive renewable energy and energy storage goals in the United States. The CLCPA goals include 6,000 megawatts (MW) of solar energy by 2025, 70% of New York’s electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030 (currently 28%), 3,000 MW of energy storage by 2030, and a decarbonized electricity sector by 2040.  It has also created a strong market for community solar projects and related services, which enable residents that cannot otherwise host solar projects to participate in the market for low cost renewable energy.

Knauf Shaw attorneys represent municipalities, developers, landowners, and community solar service providers in these projects. Our attorneys are currently guiding multiple municipalities through the state–level environmental review and permitting processes for large wind and solar projects under Section 94-c of the Executive Law. The Section 94-c process bypasses local approvals for project greater than 20 MW by empowering the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) with authority for local and state land use approvals, but provides for local participation in the proceeding.

The firm also advises developers seeking to site solar, wind, biofuels, energy storage, biomass and new technology, advanced recycling, and waste–to–energy or fuel facilities, particularly on contaminated brownfield real estate. We guide developers through brownfield site acquisition, land use approvals and permitting, remediation and construction, including large projects seeking approvals under Section 94-c. We also assist clients in maximizing their financial returns by bundling tax credit incentives under the Brownfield Cleanup Program with New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) grants and federal tax credits.