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Increasing Use Of Renewable Energy: Legal Techniques And Impediments, Michael B. Gerrard
Increasing Use Of Renewable Energy: Legal Techniques And Impediments, Michael B. Gerrard
Faculty Scholarship
The current turmoil in the Middle East and the consequent rise in oil prices are highlighting the long-recognized need for the United States to reduce its dependence on foreign energy sources. The most promising way to do that is through increased efficiency in our use of energy. My last column (Jan. 13, 2011) discussed the legal aspects of that measure. Today’s column is devoted to the legal aspects of the second most important way – increasing the share of the energy that we use that comes from renewable sources.
New York's Revived Power Plant Siting Law Preempts Local Control, Michael B. Gerrard
New York's Revived Power Plant Siting Law Preempts Local Control, Michael B. Gerrard
Faculty Scholarship
Taking most observers by surprise, the New York State Legislature on June 22, 2011, overwhelmingly passed The Power NY Act of 2011. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed it on Aug. 4. The new law revives Article X of the Public Service Law after a nearly nine-year hibernation. As before, the law creates a one-stop, state-led program for permitting electric generating facilities while preempting local requirements. But the new Article X differs from its predecessor in several important ways: It covers facilities as small as 25 megawatts (down from the prior 80 megawatts threshold), it has even more generous provisions for funding …
Model Municipal Ordinance Project Designed To Facilitate Wind And Solar Projects And Green Buildings, Michael B. Gerrard, Danielle Sugarman
Model Municipal Ordinance Project Designed To Facilitate Wind And Solar Projects And Green Buildings, Michael B. Gerrard, Danielle Sugarman
Faculty Scholarship
Soaring oil prices and the reality of climate change have underscored the heed to reduce U.S. fossil fuel dependence by improving energy efficiency and by developing and expanding renewable sources of energy. The International Energy Agency declared in 2010 that "[i]ncreasing energy efficiency, much of which can be achieved through low-cost options, offers the greatest potential for reducing CO2 emissions over the period to 2050." Furthermore, increasing our reliance on renewable resources such as wind and solar energy is not only a prudent measure in helping America to improve its energy security, but is a necessary component of a basket …