The final Scoping Plan (Plan) for New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (“CLCPA” or the “Act”) was passed overwhelmingly by the Climate Action Council (“Council” or “CAC”) on December 19, 2022. The vote was 19 to 3. The Scoping Plan provides recommendations to meet the Act’s mandates, including significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating building and transportation electrification, and securing climate justice.Continue Reading The CLCPA’s Scoping Plan: Fueling Action for Effective Implementation
New York State Climate Act Creates Opportunities in Public and Private Sector
New York State passed one of the most sweeping and comprehensive climate action laws with the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act). The Act set aggressive goals for the State to reduce its carbon footprint and eliminate its reliance on fossil fuels.Continue Reading New York State Climate Act Creates Opportunities in Public and Private Sector
Bitcoin, Blockchain and Transmission System Capacity ─ A Renewable Solution?
Bitcoin was introduced in 2008 as a decentralized currency that could be transmitted through a peer-to-peer network and recorded on a ledger known as a “blockchain.” Like any new and emerging industry, cryptocurrencies have been subject to a high level of public, regulatory and legislative scrutiny.Continue Reading Bitcoin, Blockchain and Transmission System Capacity ─ A Renewable Solution?
Microgrids: Placing Energy in the Hands of the Consumer
Communities interested in cleaner energy, as well as greater control over their electric supply and reliability, are increasingly turning to microgrids — miniature power systems that serve an individual facility or area with electricity, either on its own or in concert with a larger power grid. Typically, a microgrid consists of energy generation and energy storage that can power a building or community and can be disconnected from the energy grid.Continue Reading Microgrids: Placing Energy in the Hands of the Consumer
Renewable Energy Post: Phillips Lytle’s Insights in Real Time
As a well-regarded thought leader in these areas, we will utilize our Renewable Energy Post blog to frame the practical, economic, legal and technical aspects of the debate. Our goal is to engage all interested NYS constituencies, including energy providers, business and property owners, real estate developers, renewable energy developers and operators, and concerned members of the general public. In order to be successful, economic and environmental sustainability must not be mutually exclusive and must be balanced through the eyes of the energy consumer.
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New York Leads Four-State Consortium for Portion of $8B Regional Hydrogen Hub Funds
On March 24, 2022, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts plan to submit a joint proposal to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to secure a portion of the $8 billion set aside for regional hydrogen hubs when applications open in May. This alignment represents a critical step in advancing New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050.
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New York State Public Service Commission Accelerates Grid Modernization Efforts
On May 14, 2020, the New York State Public Service Commission (“Commission”) issued an order that will mark a turning point in the State’s electric grid modernization efforts (“Transmission Planning Order”). The Transmission Planning Order was issued in response to the recently enacted Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act (“Accelerate Act”), which was signed into law on April 3, 2020, as previously reported in Phillips Lytle’s Energy Client Alert. The Accelerate Act directs the Commission to conduct a comprehensive study (“Power Grid Study”) to identify distribution, transmission and bulk investments to facilitate timely achievement of New York State’s nation-leading clean energy objectives set forth in the Community Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Upon completion of the Power Grid Study, the Accelerate Act directs the Commission to establish utility-specific capital plans to support the development and implementation of appropriate electric system upgrades.
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