The Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations on May 31, 2023, for the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program under Section 48(e) of the Internal Revenue Code. The proposed regulations provide
Continue Reading IRS Issues Proposed Regulations for Energy Projects Located in Low-Income Communities
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP received the most first-tier national rankings in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers 2023 “Best Law Firms” report for the 12th consecutive year and
Continue Reading Greenberg Traurig’s Energy & Natural Resources Practice Recognized in 2023 ‘Best Law Firms’ Report
With the steady development of the renewable energy sector in Latin America, this GT Alert presents significant recent advances in several countries in the region.
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Continue Reading Renewable Energy in Latin America Updates – August 2022
This GT Alert highlights news and updates on renewable energy in Latin America.
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Continue Reading Renewable Energy in Latin America Updates – July 2022
This GT Alert, also posted in Spanish, highlights news and updates on renewable energy in Latin America.
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Continue Reading Renewable Energy in Latin America Updates
On Dec. 7, 2021, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) began the process of updating California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) by holding a virtual workshop where CARB staff discussed
Continue Reading California Air Resources Board Begins Process to Update Low Carbon Fuel Standard Regulations
On July 27, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a policy memorandum designed to stay the federal government’s hand in enforcing the Clean Water Act where states have
Continue Reading New DOJ Guidance Seeks to Limit Federal Enforcement under the Clean Water Act
In January 2020, in his annual budget address, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo proposed a complete overhaul of renewable energy siting. In his 30-day amendments to the executive budget, he proposed the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act (the “Act”). The proposal would apply to large and mid-sized renewable projects, energy storage, and transmission, as well as directing the state’s agencies and public authorities to establish incentive programs to deliver shovel-ready, permitted sites to developers. The bill signals a shift in thinking about renewable energy siting, from a bureaucratic energy regulatory issue sometimes hindered by fierce local opposition, to an economic development process focused on steering the train of jobs and economic benefits anticipated from renewables over the next decade as a result of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), while continuing to ensure all environmental requirements are met. The bill will need to be approved by the legislature during the state budget negotiations that will occur over the next month.
The Act, weighing in at roughly 40 pages, would consolidate the environmental review and permitting of renewable projects of 25 MW and above, while allowing projects of 10 MW up to 25 MW to opt into the new process. The Act would also provide fast-track siting for co-located energy storage, as well as require regulators to expedite certain transmission projects. The Act would establish a new Office of Renewable Siting within the Department of Economic Development (DED), the state agency arm of the Empire State Development Corporation (ESD). The newly created Office of Renewable Siting would create a permitting system and set uniform standards for siting and construction. It would provide a one-stop shop for environmental review and permitting of covered renewable energy projects, operating under statutory time constraints. Renewable energy projects currently moving through the existing Article 10 siting process would be allowed to opt into the new siting process, which is designed to ensure a determination within the Act’s timeframe.
Continue Reading New York’s Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act Sends Positive Signals to Renewable Energy Developers, and Revamps Renewable Siting
On Sept. 25, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz asked the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to initiate the process to establish a Clean Cars Minnesota Rule, which would set both a low-emission vehicle (LEV) standard and a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) standard. Next month, the MPCA will begin its rulemaking process, with a goal of adopting a final rule by December 2020. If implemented, Minnesota would join 14 states with an LEV standard, 11 of which also have a ZEV standard.
The Minnesota plan is modeled after California LEV and ZEV standards. California has a nearly 50-year-old waiver under the Clean Air Act permitting the state to set stricter emission standards. After indications that the federal government would publish a rule revoking the waiver, California, joined by 22 other states, including Minnesota, and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit seeking to enforce states’ rights to set emission standards more stringent than those imposed by the federal government. The lawsuit presents novel questions under the Clean Air Act including whether a waiver can be revoked, and if so, under what circumstances. Any final rule in Minnesota will be contingent on states retaining the right to adopt more restrictive measures, including through the operative waiver under Sections 209(b) and 177 of the Clean Air Act.
Continue Reading In Minnesota, More Little Red Corvettes May Soon be Electric