Energy Planning

The attorneys at the Firm have been involved with the development of every state energy plan for the last 40 years. Our involvement is not simply restricted to developing recommendations on behalf of clients, but also includes using the goals and priorities in those plans in applications for generation and transmission projects under Article 10, Section 68 of the PSL, or SEQRA to advocate for agency approvals. The plans are also used in various pleadings to determine whether the various initiatives of agencies, such as the Public Service Commission, Department of Environmental Conservation, or New York Independent System Operator, are consistent with the goals and objectives of a particular plan.

The current State Energy Plan set aggressive goals for New York: a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels, procuring 50% of energy generation from renewable energy sources, and a 600 trillion Btu increase in statewide energy efficiency. Importantly, the Public Service Commission adopted these goals as part of its Clean Energy Standard.