Hochul directs agencies to accelerate renewables

Governor Kathy Hochul launched the 2025 Land-Based Renewable Energy Solicitation (Tier 1 RFP) and directed state agencies to accelerate shovel-ready renewable projects to qualify for expiring federal tax credits.

• Main action: NYSERDA launched the 2025 Land-Based Renewable Energy Solicitation to procure large-scale wind, solar, and other renewable projects; state agencies are directed to streamline permitting, interconnection, financing, and contracting to accelerate projects that may qualify for existing federal tax credits. Key solicitation deadlines: Eligibility applications due 2025-10-21, Final proposals due 2025-12-04 by 3 p.m., with conditional award notifications expected February 2026 and awards announced after contracts are executed.
• Background and specifics: New York currently has a pipeline of 102 large-scale projects expected to deliver over 9.7 gigawatts; development from this solicitation is expected to spur over five billion dollars in clean energy investments and create more than 2,500 jobs. The solicitation includes provisions on component cost indexing, labor provisions, stakeholder engagement, disadvantaged community commitments, and agricultural land preservation and streamlines bid requirements to expedite contracting.