Questions to ask the energy developer, town, planning and zoning board when reviewing an energy application. UPDATED JULY 17, 2022. Solar, wind and battery energy projects are complex. Ask questions! Download and print the list of questions as a PDF. Then use the spread sheet to track the answers. PROJECT What is the project’s legal … [Read more…]
Energy facilities may require town, county and state review. No matter the project size there is a lot of paperwork to track! If the facility includes battery energy storage then the paperwork increases. Lots of paperwork creates opportunity for mistakes, errors and omissions. Hold the developer and town accountable with a spreadsheet! Below is … [Read more…]
Find the Freedom of Information law for your state. Check your town website for a Freedom of Information form. New York State Committee on Open Government provides sample letters https://opengovernment.ny.gov/sample-letters I prefer to submit my own letter via email to the town clerk, records access officer or state agency. Save your requests – … [Read more…]
New York State Open Meeting Law requires that meeting minutes are provided within two weeks. The minutes should be stamped with the date the document was received by the town clerk. If the town maintains a regularly updated website then the minutes must be posted online within two weeks. Again, check this for. time and … [Read more…]
New York State Law requires the town to provide all documents to be discussed at a town meeting within 24 hours before or at the meeting. Know what your town has drafted before its discussed at the board meeting. At least three days prior to a town meeting submit a written 103(e) request for all … [Read more…]
Yard Signs may be handmade, from a local sign shop or purchased online. Do whatever it takes to get the word out. Typically a yard sign is 18″ x 24″, Corrugated Plastic, Printed Both Sides with Two Colors. When ordering online remember to purchase the stakes/frames for the sign and add shipping time. You may … [Read more…]
Write a petition and go door to door to gather taxpayer signatures. Do not leave information in USPS mailboxes. This is a federal offense. Ask the town, county and state for regulations on petitions. If necessary consult with an attorney. Ask if online petitions are valid in your town, county and state. Scan the petition … [Read more…]
Many towns may require a developer to host a community open house to inform neighbors of their energy project. The meeting will not be held at town hall. The town, planning and zoning board are not required to attend. The town does not mail the taxpayers notifications. This community meeting is not part … [Read more…]
Templates from other towns. Copy, paste, edit for your town. Contact your local print shop for design, printing and mailing services. Newspaper Advertisement Flyer to post on bulletin boards at your local library, diner, gas station, school, rec center, post office. Postcard to mail. Obtain mailing list from local … [Read more…]
Be solar smart! Use these redacted and annotated educational purposes only site plans to learn what to look for on a basic solar site plan. This information may apply to any site plan for any utility scale solar power plant and should not be construed as a review or critique of any particular project or … [Read more…]