* § 1910. Statement of legislative findings and intent. 1. Findings.
The legislature hereby finds, determines, and declares:

(a) New York will need to accelerate the deployment of renewable
energy projects, both large-scale and distributed energy systems, in
order to achieve the mandates of the New York state climate leadership
and community protection act enacted as chapter one hundred six of the
laws of two thousand nineteen (the "CLCPA").

(b) In addition to the authority's procurement programs and improved
state permitting processes, renewable energy projects require
collaboration between host communities and renewable energy developers
in order to be successfully and appropriately sited and constructed.

(c) Local land use decisions are important to meeting the goals of the
CLCPA, but communities often do not have capacity or sufficient tools
and information to effectively plan for renewable energy siting.

(d) Community concerns regarding the potential impacts of large-scale
and distributed energy systems are different, but both can provide
energy cost savings for residents and businesses in the community, local
infrastructure improvement, local tax revenue and economic benefits,
local job creation, and cleaner air.

(e) There has been a lack of information about the local benefits and
impacts of renewable energy technology development and the best ways for
communities to maximize benefits while avoiding and mitigating impacts.

(f) A multi-pronged approach is necessary to provide communities,
including disadvantaged communities as designated under the CLCPA, with
the information and tools necessary to support the appropriate siting
and acceptance of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar,
storage and transmission and distribution upgrades.

2. Intent. It is the intent of the legislature in enacting this title
to empower the authority to establish effective programs and mechanisms
to:

(a) Educate the public and build consensus on the benefits of a shift
to renewable energy technologies, which will provide jobs, lower energy
costs and reduce price volatility, and reduce the need for fossil fuel
based power, bringing clean air and public health benefits and reduced
greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change and its impacts;

(b) Provide information and assistance to communities and local
representatives to promote the appropriate and successful siting of
renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, storage and
transmission and distribution system upgrades;

(c) Equip local governments with the tools they need to effectively
consider natural and working lands, the potential for co-location and
dual-use solutions, effective utilization of previously disturbed or
developed sites, and protecting disadvantaged communities when planning
for renewable energy projects in their communities; and

(d) Help communities develop and adopt local planning, zoning and
other policies that support the sustainable and equitable development of
local renewable energy technology through processes that ensure and
enhance public outreach, education and engagement, particularly in
frontline communities that have historically been disenfranchised and
discriminated against in the local land use decision-making process.

* NB Repealed December 31, 2031