BILL NUMBER: S4408A
SPONSOR: MAY
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to facilitate interconnection of renewable
energy installations across reforestation areas by allowing the state to
enter into agreements or leases for that purpose.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill adds a new section 9-0508 to the environmental conservation law
to allow the department to enter into agreements for the sole purpose of
aiding in the interconnection of renewable energy installations which
are located outside of reforestation lands and the transmission and
distribution of electricity from those installations. Any agreement made
for this purpose would be prohibited from interfering with the operation
or use of the reforestation areas.
Any agreements entered into for this purpose would be recorded in the
office of general services and made available to the public on their
official website.
*The amendment to this bill clarifies the original intent of the bill to
assist only in the interconnection of renewable energy systems across
reforestation lands. No siting authority is intended or granted by the
language in the bill.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (S6599/A8429, Ch.106
Laws of 2019) sets aggressive targets and timetables for shifting the
state's energy sources from fossil fuels to clean energy sources like
solar and wind. Allowing the state to enter into agreements that would
assist in the interconnection of such renewable systems across certain
state lands, without interfering with the use or operation of those
lands, will be an important tool for reaching those targets. There are
currently approximately 800,000 acres of reforestation lands in the
state, according to the depaitment's website. Projects like the Canan-
daigua Wind Project which experienced significant delays due to diffi-
culties connecting transmission lines would benefit tibrity this bill
grants the state, while continuing to protect the reforestation areas
for their intended use as described in ECL 9-0501 (1) for reforesting
and harvesting of wood.
Until December of 2025 reforestation areas were subject to oil and gas
production under an authority that is now prohibited, Chapter 671 of the
Laws of 2025 (ECL § 9-0507).
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
Undetermined.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2026: S4408A/A10483 (Lunsford) Ref to encon
2025-2026: S4408 (MAY) PASSED SENATE
2023-2024: S1918 (MAY) PASSED SENATE
2021-2022: S.659 (MAY) PASSED SENATE/A.3874 (Cusick) Ref to Encon
2020: S.6775 (MAY) REF TO ENCON
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately