Establishes a municipal solar planning grant program for municipalities to receive grants for plans to develop solar energy systems on agricultural land and commercially-zoned properties in such municipalities; creates a database to track such solar energy system distribution.
Relates to enacting the "New York photovoltaic module stewardship and take-back program act"; provides that the department of environmental conservation shall develop guidance for a photovoltaic module stewardship and take-back program to guide manufacturers in preparing and implementing a self-directed program to ensure the convenient, safe, and environmentally sound take-back and recycling of photovoltaic modules and their components and materials; establishes the photovoltaic module recycling account for the purpose of paying all costs of the department of environmental conservation for management and administration of the New York photovoltaic module stewardship and take-back program.
Requires renewable energy data resources provided by NYSERDA to include mapping of certain capital projects with a value of greater than one million dollars for purposes of providing public information on the viability of siting of solar energy arrays, major renewable energy facilities, or major electric transmission facilities.
Directs the department of economic development, in conjunction with the empire state development corporation, to review all contracts entered into or overseen or enforced by the department of economic development and/or the empire state development corporation relating to the leasing of state-owned premises to private parties for the production, manufacture and/or development of solar shingle products, electric vehicle charging networks, advanced driver-assistance systems, and/or supercomputer hardware and to identify and eliminate fraud, abuse or waste by private parties.
Provides that on and after January 1, 2028, no person shall sell, offer for sale or manufacture in this state any photovoltaic modules containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances as intentionally added chemicals.
This bill prohibits government incentives for commercial renewable energy projects like solar farms in sensitive environmental areas and on active farmland, with specific exceptions for agrivoltaic systems that combine solar power with agriculture. It removes eligibility for financial assistance, zero emission credits, and tax exemptions for such projects located in critical environmental areas, bird conservation zones, grassland bird centers, and wildlife management areas. The legislation also formally defines agrivoltaics as solar systems that simultaneously produce energy and agricultural products without displacing farming activities, while excluding certain practices like sole reliance on pollinator habitats or sheep grazing. These changes directly affect developers proposing renewable energy projects and government agencies administering agricultural and environmental programs.
New York's Senate Bill A 10321 requires solar and wind energy companies to provide financial security - such as bonds from licensed sureties - before receiving permits for their projects. This security must cover the estimated cost of restoring land after the project ends and remains in effect until reclamation is approved by the commission or office. Companies must replace canceled security within 30 days, and remain personally liable for any reclamation costs not covered by the security. Government entities like municipalities are exempt from these requirements.
This bill (A 10075) prohibits state incentives - including financial assistance, tax exemptions, and zero-emission credits - for commercial renewable energy projects (like large solar farms) in specific sensitive environmental areas. It directly affects developers and farmers seeking state support for such projects on land within agricultural districts, critical environmental areas, grassland bird conservation centers, bird conservation areas, or wildlife management zones. Exceptions apply only to agrivoltaic systems (combining crops and solar) or renewable energy systems designed primarily for on-farm electricity use. The law amends multiple state laws to block these incentives while allowing limited on-farm renewable energy development.
Provides that on and after January 1, 2028, no person shall sell, offer for sale or manufacture in this state any photovoltaic modules containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances as intentionally added chemicals.
Requires the office of renewable energy siting and electric transmission to establish and/or amend rules and regulations pertaining to standards related to the siting, design, construction and operation of major renewable energy facilities; requires such rules and regulations to include information relating to farmland protection and application procedures; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.
