The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a Proposed Rule on June 16, 2023, that would, if adopted, amend its existing right-of-way regulations to promote solar and wind energy development on public lands administered by...more
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently released for public comment a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would, if adopted, comprehensively update its Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) renewable energy...more
In Tracer Lane II Realty, LLC v. City of Waltham, Case No. SJC-13195 (June 2, 2022), the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the Land Court's holding that City officials violated state law when they determined that...more
New York’s Climate Justice Working Group (“CJWG”) recently released draft criteria that will be used to identify “Disadvantaged Communities,” (“DACs”) as defined by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (“CLCPA”...more
On April 14, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) filed emergency regulations governing its SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) program, the state’s current solar incentive program. Among other...more
Key Takeaways -
• Legislative Action: On April 12, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed the Clean Economy Act (Act), establishing significant new requirements for renewable energy, energy storage, and energy efficiency....more
Maryland’s Governor Lawrence Hogan has issued an Executive Order establishing a task force responsible for evaluating the siting of new solar and wind energy projects throughout Maryland. Gov. Hogan’s actions were prompted by...more
Under a new statute signed into law on July 19, the North Carolina legislature directed the State’s Environmental Management Commission to develop regulations for decommissioning utility-scale solar and wind energy projects...more
The Maryland Court of Appeals has unanimously held that the Maryland Public Service Commission’s authority to approve the construction and siting of energy generating systems preempts local zoning authority: “Ultimately, the...more
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) has taken the first step towards amending existing permitting procedures for small solar energy projects. The potential amendments may help sustain the recent...more
Maryland legislators recently introduced a bill that would double the state’s renewable portfolio standard ("RPS") targets and create significant incentives for solar and offshore wind.
Maryland’s current RPS requires...more