Requires a mitigation ratio of three acres of mitigation for every acre of occupied grassland bird breeding habitat and one acre of mitigation for every acre of grassland bird wintering habitat included in a major electric transmission facility siting permit.
Impact
This legislation has significant implications for state environmental law, particularly concerning how electric transmission projects will interact with designated conservation areas. The mandated ratios aim to enhance conservation efforts by ensuring that habitat loss is compensated through extensive mitigation strategies. This could lead to more careful consideration by developers about the locations of electric projects, potentially resulting in delays as additional resources are allocated to meet the new environmental standards set forth by the bill.
Summary
Bill S08095 introduces a regulation concerning the siting permits for major electric transmission facilities in the state of New York. Specifically, it mandates a mitigation ratio whereby if the site of a proposed facility includes grassland bird breeding habitats or wintering habitats, a specific amount of mitigation must occur. The bill specifies that for each acre of occupied grassland breeding habitat impacted, three acres of mitigation are required, and for each acre of wintering habitat, one acre must be mitigated. This reflects the state’s commitment to protecting grassland bird species and their habitats from potential disruptions caused by infrastructure projects.
Contention
The bill may face contention as it places additional requirements on companies proposing new electric transmission facilities. Proponents argue that this is a necessary step to ensure the protection of vulnerable species that rely on these grassland habitats. Conversely, opponents may raise concerns regarding the economic implications for utility providers and the potential delay of energy infrastructure development. The balance between infrastructure expansion and environmental stewardship continues to be a point of debate among stakeholders in New York's legislative and environmental communities.
Same As
Requires a mitigation ratio of one acre for every acre of occupied grassland bird breeding habitat and three acres of mitigation for every acre of grassland bird wintering habitat included in a major electric transmission facility siting permit.
Requires a mitigation ratio of one acre for every acre of occupied grassland bird breeding habitat and three acres of mitigation for every acre of grassland bird wintering habitat included in a major electric transmission facility siting permit.
Prohibits the issuing of major renewable energy and major electric transmission facility siting permits in designated grassland bird conservation centers including, but not limited to, three such centers in Jefferson county, one center in Saint Lawrence county, the Oak-Orchard-Iroquois center, the Washington County Grasslands center, the Finger Lakes National Forest center and the Shawangunk Grasslands.
Prohibits the issuing of major renewable energy and major electric transmission facility siting permits in designated grassland bird conservation centers including, but not limited to, three such centers in Jefferson county, one center in Saint Lawrence county, the Oak-Orchard-Iroquois center, the Washington County Grasslands center, the Finger Lakes National Forest center and the Shawangunk Grasslands.
Electric utilities; creating the Wildland Fire Mitigation Act; defining terms; authorizing development of electrical wildland fire mitigation plan; effective date.