Adirondack Park Agency
Policy, Procedures & Guidance

Agency-7

Topic: Policy on Renewable Energy
Production and Energy Supply
Karen Feldman
Acting Chair

I.

Date: 11/9/18

Purpose

Wise use of energy resources and development of renewable energy resources offer an
opportunity at a state and Park level to contribute to the reduction of global atmospheric
carbon levels and climate change. At the state and Park level, we are committed to
continue making investments in renewable energy to support millions of jobs, to reduce
dependence on fossil fuels, to maintain public health, and to protect our environment,
especially clean water and clean air. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance
to the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and others within the Adirondack Park regarding
the APA’s exercise of its powers, duties and responsibilities under the APA Act, the
Freshwater Wetlands Act, and the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act
regarding renewable energy production.

II.

Background

There is considerable public and private concern about energy supply, energy use and
conservation, climate change, burning of fossil fuels, acid rain and airborne pollutants,
and energy costs. Current and future development in the Park must be viewed as
having a cumulative effect on the quality of Park resources and on the need for reliable
and affordable energy supplies. The State of New York has initiated a number of
important efforts to address climate change, state energy needs, energy use, energy
P.O. Box 99 • 1133 NYS Route 86 • Ray Brook, NY 12977 • Tel: 518 891-4050 • Fax: 518 891-3938 • w ww.apa.ny.gov

 efficiency, sustainable communities and smart growth. These efforts include, but are
not limited to:
1. The 2017 announcement by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo that New York had
joined the United States Climate Alliance in collaboration with other states to
uphold the Paris Climate Agreement.
2. The 2017 initiative by New York State to assess agency vulnerability to climate
change and to assist agency efforts to train staff and take needed actions to
reduce the impacts of climate change.
3. The 2015 New York State Energy Plan that coordinates State agencies and
authorities that involve energy to advance the 2014 Reforming the Energy Vision
agenda, initiates regulatory reform to integrate clean energy into the power grid,
redesigns programs to foster private capital, and deploys innovative energy
solutions across the State’s facilities and operations. Renewable energy
production including, but not limited to, alternatives such as wind and solar power
are an important part of the state energy production policy, and have potential for
limited development within the Park.
4. The APA has participated in a Public Service Commission review of new power
facilities exempt from APA Act permitting and in Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission and federal hydropower licensing reviews.
5. The APA, in cooperation with New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (NYSDEC) and New York State Police, is participating in the
construction of a wood biomass facility as an alternative energy source to heat
the three agencies’ Ray Brook facilities.
6. The APA coordinates regularly with NYSDEC, New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority, New York Power Authority, Department of Public
Service, and New York State Department of Transportation, Public Service
Commission to better understand each other’s regulatory roles and
responsibilities relative to electrical power transmission and distribution systems,
and to aesthetic and reliability concerns within highway and utility rights-of-ways.
The APA Act recognizes the need to preserve the Park’s resources and open space
character while allowing for growth and service areas, employment, and a strong
economic base. The APA has a responsibility to address important existing and
emerging local and regional issues such as renewable energy.
The APA provides planning assistance to Park communities and reviews proposals for
new residential, commercial, major public utility, and industrial activities.
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 III.

Policy on Renewable Energy Production, Supply, and Conservation

A. General Policy
The policy is intended to ensure that the APA:
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Embraces the New York State Energy Plan while balancing any development
with the APA Act mandates to protect Park resources;
Integrates opportunities and concerns for renewable energy production and
energy conservation into its Park planning, public education, and project review
functions;
Protects and enhances Park resources while recognizing that renewable energy
production and energy conservation is critical to viable, sustainable human
communities within the Park and in a state and global context; and
Incorporates energy conservation measures into its facilities, fleet management,
and operations.

B. Concerns for Energy Supply and Conservation
1. Park Planning
The APA encourages the development of alternative and renewable energy sources
while recognizing the need to balance protection of natural, scenic, aesthetic,
ecological, wildlife, historic, recreational, and open space resources of the Park.
The APA will provide leadership and participation in State-sponsored initiatives and
programs to promote renewable energy production, sustainable development, and
energy conservation in the Adirondack Park. The APA supports State and federal
programs addressing climate change.

2. Public Education
The APA serves as a forum for discussion of energy-related issues within the Park by:
•

Using its programs and activities to address such topics as renewable energy
production, energy conservation, climate change, and sustainable communities;
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Posting information and providing links to pertinent information online, including
State-sponsored energy programs, public and private sources of technical and
financial assistance, and similar content;
Posting a public information flyer on “Wind and Solar Power”; and
Posting Development in the Adirondack Park guidelines to reduce the
consumption of energy, especially from fossil fuels.

3. Project Review
The APA will assess need, siting, and other considerations when reviewing applications
for: new or expanded energy generating facilities, including residential solar, residential
wind; alternative power generating sources; and new or relocated energy transmission
or distribution systems,. The APA will assess the potential impacts that any proposed
land use and development may have on Park resources.
The APA’s Energy Guidance is available in the Development in the Adirondack Park
Guidelines available at www.apa.ny.gov.

4. APA Energy Conservation and Efficiency Measures
The APA administration continuously evaluates all of its facilities, fleet management,
and operations for opportunities to improve energy conservation and efficiency and
implements improvements at the earliest opportunity within APA budget constraints.
The APA also pursues other sources of state and federal funding in order to further this
effort.

IV.

Adoption

The APA has reviewed and adopted this policy effective DATE.

By _________________________
Karen Feldman
Acting Chair

______________
Date

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