Energy (Renewable Energy)

Requires the office of renewable energy siting to develop standards and conditions for the siting of certain large scale renewable energy systems; requires approval of municipalities to such siting plans.

This bill exempts homeowners from property tax increases on qualifying renewable energy systems installed within specific timeframes. It covers solar, wind, or farm waste systems installed before 1988 or between 1991-2030, plus newer systems like micro-hydro, fuel cells, or electric storage installed between 2018-2030. Systems must not exceed 20 kilowatts of generation capacity or 30 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity. The exemption applies only to systems meeting these criteria and installation dates. Homeowners with qualifying systems installed during these periods will avoid tax hikes tied to their renewable energy equipment.

Directs the public service commission in consultation with NYSERDA to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems in the state of New York and to compare such directly with other methods of electricity generation within nine months after the effective date and every four years thereafter.