Relates to requiring local building and planning regulations to accommodate the use of renewable and alternative energy sources

1 Co-sponsor

• Antoine M. Thompson

Title of bill

An act to amend the town law and the village law, in relation to requiring local building and planning regulations to accommodate the use of renewable and alternative energy sources

Purpose or general idea of bill

To promote the Use of renewable energy sources by encouraging towns and villages to consider renewable energy sources when designing zoning and planning regulations.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one amends section 263 of the town law by providing that when a town creates zoning and planning regulations, an additional factor to be considered shall be the accommodation of renewable energy resources.

Section two amends section 7-704 of the village law by providing that when a village creates zoning and planning regulations, an additional factor to be considered shall be the accommodation of renewable energy resources.

Section three provides the effective date as immediately.

Justification

When a town or village creates zoning and planning regulations, they are created in accordance with a comprehensive plan and with consideration to several factors. Currently, among such factors are "safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers." In order to encourage the use of alternative Sources of energy, the proposed legislation adds the accommodation of "renewable energy resources to the list that a town or village shall consider when creating its zoning and planning regulations. it is important to consider alternative sources of energy when making zoning and planning decisions and requiring towns and villages to do so will, hopefully, promote the use of "green" energy sources which are cleaner, renewable and better in the long term.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implication

None to the state.

Effective date

Immediately.