BILL NUMBER: S4054
SPONSOR: MATTERA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring the
office of renewable energy siting to develop standards and conditions
for the siting of certain large scale renewable energy systems
 
PURPOSE: Requires the office of renewable energy siting to develop
standards and conditions for the siting of certain large-scale renewable
energy systems
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Provides the Hudson River watershed with the same provisions
that provided protections to Native American and agricultural lands
involving the Office of Renewable Energy Siting's regulation of renewa-
ble energy projects.
Section 2: ORES and the department shall not deem any site for qualified
energy storage systems without first consulting any municipalities with
jurisdiction over the potential build-ready site and obtaining such
municipalities approval.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Municipalities across the Hudson Valley are implementing moratoriums of
large-scale battery energy storage systems citing concerns for public
health and the local environment. The Hudson River watershed is among
the most environmentally sensitive areas in New York State. Localities
are grappling with a growing MS4 mandate that is growing in cost at an
alarming rate. The regulations associated with the Hudson River
watershed impact nearly every aspect of development within these commu-
nities, however, the Hudson River watershed is not currently given the
same considerations and protections when it comes to the citing of large
scale battery energy storage systems.
Recent applications for large scale battery energy storage systems have
highlighted the need and importance for local control. Several petitions
have been circulated locally and town officials have signed letters
advocating for local control of these projects. This legislation will
ensure municipal approval is required for all large-scale battery energy
storage systems under consideration by ORES.
While the development of green and renewable energy is incredibly impor-
tant, it cannot be done at the expense of our constituents. The current
efforts to build a new energy storage site in the lower Hudson Valley
without local control or input is very unpopular with the people of the
area and every local government is opposed to it.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: A.10723
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, the amend-
ments to article 8 of the public service law made by sections one and
two of this act shall not affect the repeal of such article and shall be
deemed repealed therewith.

Statutes affected:
S4054: 138 public service law, 144 public service law