On July 20, NYS Governor Cuomo announced that the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Build-Ready Program will begin solicitation for sites compatible for large-scale renewable energy developments.
The Build-Ready Program is a key component of the state’s long-term plan to reduce carbon emissions and was adopted as a part of the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefits Act. The act calls for collaboration between NYSERDA, local authorities, and stakeholders in considering sites for the Build-Ready Program. The Build-Ready Program seeks to find sites for which NYSERDA can secure permits and eventually auction to developers in the hopes of speeding up the development and construction of renewable energy projects.
On July 21, following the governor’s announcement, NYSERDA launched Request For Information (RFI) 4464, calling for submissions for Build-Ready site nominations. The submission period is now open and runs through 3:00 p.m. ET, on July 20, 2021. RFI-4464 outlines criteria for preferred Build-Ready sites. According to NYSERDA, the preferred sites should have flat or gently sloping terrain and fall within one of the following land use types:
- Sites over 65 acres upon which a project could be built
- Dormant electric-generating sites
- Former industrial sites
- Existing or abandoned commercial sites
- Brownfields
- Landfills
- Other underutilized sites
NYSERDA is planning on using these site nominations as part of its assessment process to find viable locations for prospective Build-Ready sites. On Tuesday, August 4 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET, NYSERDA will host a webinar on RFI-4464 and the submission process.
Click here for additional information on the Build-Ready Program and site nominations, and click here to register for the webinar.
Our team at Barclay Damon will continue to monitor these and other legal updates affecting the renewable energy industry.
If you have any questions regarding the content of this alert, please contact Brenda Colella, Regulatory Practice Group leader, Regulatory Practice Area co-chair, and co-leader of the Renewable Energy and Energy Market Teams, at bcolella@barclaydamon.com; Ekin Senlet, Regulatory Practice Area co-chair, at esenlet@barclaydamon.com; Angela Sicker, associate, at asicker@barclaydamon.com; or Dan Krzykowski, summer associate, at dkrzykowski@barclaydamon.com.