Credit: Standard Solar
New York legislators approved the inclusion of the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act in the final FY 2024-25 State Budget. Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced the RAPID Act in January with a goal to create a one-stop-shop for the environmental review and permitting of major renewable energy and transmission facilities within the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) at the Department of Public Service (DPS).
In January, Hochul said the act would ensure the state’s transmission permitting process feeds into a clear statutory framework that balances transparency and environmental protection with the need for fast decision-making, while continuing to be responsive to community feedback and environmental considerations.
The Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY) celebrated the decision.
“We are optimistic that the negotiated version of the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act will streamline the permitting process for renewable energy projects, especially much-needed transmission projects,” said Deb Peck Kelleher, interim executive director at ACE NY. “We at ACE NY have worked to spread the message of how crucial transmission infrastructure is to our overall clean energy goals. It is clear that improvements to the permitting process are needed and the RAPID Act will help us get there.”