Establish a Clean Energy Development Office within Commerce
Agency
Commerce, Department of
Title of action
Establish a Clean Energy Development Office within Commerce
Date significant agency action was initiated
Friday, March 1, 2024
Category
Agency-request legislation
Brief description of significant agency actions for which the agency is initiating an environmental justice assessment.
The Clean Energy Development Office would promote and support statewide clean energy planning (i.e., identify preferred areas for clean energy development and transmission corridors); develop incentives and other mechanisms to guide clean energy development to appropriate areas (tax policy, community benefits, zoning, workforce development, etc.); support transmission planning and interconnection to the grid; and manage a dashboard to track clean energy development and progress toward meeting clean energy goals. It would also lead Build- Ready development (modeled on a NY Program) that pre-permits sites and then auctions them to developers to reduce time and risk for clean energy projects.
Methods for providing public comment for agency consideration as part of the environmental justice assessment.
The CEDO concept is an outgrowth of previous engagement work conducted for the Low Carbon Siting Study (2022) and an independent assessment required by HB 1216 (Beveridge & Diamond, 2024). The concept is also reflected in letters sent by a coalition of environmental organizations including TNC, Audubon and others. In addition, the concept is reflected in recommendations from the Clean Energy Siting Council, established under HB 1216, which includes representatives from the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and the Environmental Justice Council. Additional feedback will be sought from tribes and members of overburdened communities and vulnerable populations as this concept is developed.
Commerce has been reaching out directly to stakeholders and fielding public comments.
Link to agency webpage where the action is posted.
Status
Date EJ Assessment was completed
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Published EJA (If completed, you must include a link to the assessment published on your website)
