Pathway 5.

Electricity Decarbonization → Utility-Scale Renewables

5.1.9 Overcoming Local Permitting Opposition

LPDD Recommendation: “Congress or states may wish to adopt preemptive or guiding regulations to govern the types of permitting processes localities may impose on renewable energy projects.”

20 Resources Found, Displaying 1 thru 10

LPDD Model Law: State Law Expediting the Siting of Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Generating Systems

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Expediting and institutionalizing uniform processes for siting facilities for generating, transporting and storing renewable energy.

Oregon’s Bill Bypassing Local Permitting for Batteries

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Allowing battery developers, or the governing body of a local government, to elect to defer regulatory authority to the Energy Facility Siting Council for the siting of a battery energy storage system.

Michigan Legislation Consolidating Permitting Authority

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Bill would give the commission permitting authority for all solar projects and battery projects over 50 megawatts and wind projects over 100 megawatts.

Washington State’s Permitting Expedition Legislation

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Overhauling the permitting process for renewable energy projects.

Illinois Ban on Local Renewable Bans

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Sets requirements for utility-scale wind and solar projects and says that local governments are barred from having any rules that are more restrictive than the state rules.

California’s Law Superseding Local Permitting Obstacles for Renewable Energy Projects (AB 205, 2022)

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Provides pathway for permitting renewable energy facilities through State Energy Commission, bypassing local permitting processes.

Illinois Law restricting county-level siting restrictions over windpower

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Prevents counties from placing restrictions on the installation or use of a commercial wind energy facility.

New York’s Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefits Act

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Establishes an Office of Renewable Energy Siting to consolidate the environmental review of major renewable energy facilities and provide a single forum for siting decision on renewable projects over 25 MW.

New York’s Article X

Jurisdiction: States and State Governments, State Agencies

Gives the state's siting board considerable authority to override local laws.

New Jersey law promoting wind variances

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

State law makes it easier for wind project proponents to get variances from local zoning ordinances by nominating wind generation as an “inherently beneficial use.”