Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires local building and planning operations accommodate certain renewable and alternative energy sources.

Highlights:

• Requires local building and planning operations to accommodate for new renewable and alternative energy sources, including but not limited to the following(Sec. 1):

• Solar thermal;

• Photovoltaics; 

• Wind;

• Hydro-electric;

• Geothermal electric;

• Geothermal ground source heat;

• Tidal energy;

• Wave energy;

• Ocean thermal;

• Farm waste electric generating equipment; and 

• Fuel cells.

• Requires the accommodation of new energy sources to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public requirements (Sec. 1). 

• Requires regulations to be made with reasonable consideration, among other things, as to the character of the district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, and to conserve the value of buildings and encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout such municipality (Sec. 1).

• Specifies these regulations will be made following a comprehensive plan and designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic, and other dangers; to promote health and general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to make provision for, so far as conditions may permit, the accommodation of solar energy systems and equipment and access to sunlight (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text