February 23, 2020
New York

Niagara County proposes bar on tax breaks for all renewable energy projects

By Thomas J. Prohaska | The Buffalo News | Published Sat, Feb 22, 2020 | buffalonews.com

The Niagara County Legislature this week set a March 10 public hearing on a law to deny property tax breaks for any renewable energy project now on the drawing board – or which might be proposed in the future.

That would apply only to county taxes, but school and town boards have passed similar bans for specific projects. State law gives automatic property tax abatements to renewable energy developers, unless localities opt out.

With public opposition flaring over proposed massive wind and solar projects in the county, the Legislature also created a committee to keep tabs on attempts to change the approval process, which allows a state siting board to overturn local zoning laws.

The Legislature also voted to support an Assembly bill requiring renewable energy projects to be approved by local voters.

“We are not totally against solar and wind projects in Niagara County, but these projects need to be sited in the proper industrial locations,” Legislature Vice Chairman John Syracuse said.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/02/23/niagara-county-proposes-bar-on-tax-breaks-for-all-renewable-energy-projects/