Landscape Tradeoffs as New York Transitions to Renewable Energy

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
April 19, 2023

The Hudson River Environmental Society held the 2023 Hudson River Symposium at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies on the landscape tradeoffs as New York transitions to renewable energy. The purpose of the Symposium was to: remind attendees of New York State renewable energy goals and the need to move in this direction; identify the potential impacts this transition is having on natural resources and the landscape; examine the research underway to identify potential impacts and management options to minimize impacts; and present what is being done to assure these impacts and tradeoffs are minimized or avoided.

With much gratitude to the presenters, the attendees gained a much deeper understanding of the transition to renewables in New York and the challenges this transition presents to all of us. Taken together, the presenters gave a great overview of where New York is in the transition, what issues are being addressed, and how much work remains to be done in both meeting the CLCPA goals and minimizing the tradeoffs. HRES has posted the presentations on the following page: 2023 Hudson River Symposium.

Thank you to the speakers and the poster presenters for making the day such a success!

Agenda

8:00 Registration

9:00 Introduction:
Welcome to the Symposium: James Morrison, President HRES
Welcome to Cary IES: Joshua Ginsberg Ph.D., Director

9:15–9:40 Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act and the Climate Action Council (PDF)
– Sarah Osgood, CAC Executive Director, NYSERDA

9:45–10:10 Ecosystem Considerations with Solar Siting (PDF)
– Steve Grodsky, Ph.D. Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University

10:15–10:40 Opportunities and Challenges for Farmland in Solar Siting in Rural New York (PDF)
– Linda Garrett, New York/New Jersey Regional Director, American Farmland Trust

10:45–11:15 Break

11:15–11:40 Influence of Emissions from Subsea Power Transmission Cables on Animal Behavior (PDF)
– Andrew Gill Ph.D., Offshore & Marine Renewable Energy, Center for Environmental Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Suffolk, U.K. (Webinar)

11:45–12:10 Overview of the 94-C Renewable Energy Siting Process (PDF)
– Joseph R. Murray, Environmental Analyst, New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting

12:15–1:15 Lunch (provided)

1:15–1:40 Challenges with Siting Distributed-Generation Wind in New York (PDF)
– Brandon Smith, Civil Engineer, New Leaf Energy

1:45–2:10 Clean Energy Siting in New York (PDF)
– Jennifer Manierre, Program Manager for Clean Energy Siting NYSERDA

2:15–2:40 Stories from the front line: A win or conflict for wildlife, farming, and renewable energy goals? (PDF)
– Troy Weldy, President, Columbia Land Conservancy

2:45–3:10 Local Planning and Zoning for Renewable Energy: Scenic Hudson’s How to Solar Now Toolkit (PDF)
– Audrey Friedrichsen, Senior Climate and Energy Renewable Attorney, Scenic Hudson

3:15–3:40 Smart Siting Renewable Projects: Power of Place NY and NY Solar Solutions Initiative (PDF)
– Kate Courtin, Deputy Director Climate Mitigation, The Nature Conservancy

3:45–4:00 Wrap-up

4:00–5:00 Poster Session & Cary, HRES Reception