Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC tag:www.carljohnsonconsulting.com,2010-02-06://3 Notes, ideas, and up-to-date information on working with New York State's environmental and energy policies Movable Type 5.04 Recharge New York - Notes and News from Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC tag:www.carljohnsonconsulting.com,2011:/cjcblog//5.3833 2011-04-12T14:34:05Z 2011-04-12T15:11:58Z Now that New York has its first on-time (and reduced) budget in years, businesses and developers need to look at what it means. Most important for those in the energy field, it's important to understand "Recharge New York" (RNY) the... Carl http://www.mynonurbanlife.com
First, it does extend PFJ one more time, until June 2012. Then it doubles the amount of electricity available, to 910MW. This will come from a mix of NYPA hydropower resources and market power. This low-cost power will be available on 7-year contracts, providing substantial assurance of long-term electricity price for businesses that rely on it. Applications for the program will be reviewed by the Economic Development Power Allocation Board to ensure that the program will create and retain jobs in New York.

Just as important, the new program provides consideration for current PFJ participants who may not be eligible for the new program, giving them a four-year transitional discount as they are moved out of the program. Very fair.

For once, our leaders seemed to understand: economic development in New York is constantly hampered by high energy costs, but it is just as hampered by the uncertainty of incentive programs. It's impossible to make an investment when the critical financial component may be pulled away from a project. Recharge New York looks like a significant, permanent assurance of support for developing business and jobs in New York.

For more details, take a look at the Governor's bill memo, and keep an eye out for news about the program from the New York Power Authority.


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]]> Investments in a time of uncertainty - Notes and News from Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC tag:www.carljohnsonconsulting.com,2010:/cjcblog//5.3761 2010-09-20T19:50:10Z 2010-09-20T20:00:11Z Despite the uncertainty of where state and federal policy are heading, companies are making significant investments in sustainability, energy conservation, smart grid, carbon emissions reductions and more. And they want to be sure that those investments will be recognized in... Carl http://www.mynonurbanlife.com ]]> Renewable energy - still a good investment - Notes and News from Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC tag:www.carljohnsonconsulting.com,2010:/cjcblog//5.3697 2010-04-01T16:45:31Z 2010-04-01T16:58:16Z The fiscal situation in New York hasn't improved - and still, the Public Service Commission last week announced ongoing support and incentives for renewable energy projects in New York, approving $429 million over the next five years. Funding from the... Carl http://www.mynonurbanlife.com ongoing support and incentives for renewable energy projects in New York, approving $429 million over the next five years. Funding from the Renewable Portfolio Standard will incentivize customer-sited renewables ($279 million) and large-scale solar photovoltaic, anaerobic digester and fuel cell projects ($150 million). In times of severe economic distress, with major state services being cut back, New York continues to show its commitment to meeting its renewable energy goals.

Renewables can be a cost-effective, beneficial component of any project, and the State and Federal governments are providing major incentives. Can your project afford to leave money on the table?
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]]> Think of renewable energy first, not last - Notes and News from Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC tag:www.carljohnsonconsulting.com,2010:/cjcblog//5.3681 2010-03-08T15:54:11Z 2010-03-08T16:18:12Z Carl Johnson http://www.carljohnsonconsulting.com
In order to succeed, you need to think about renewables -  and that includes conservation measures - right from the start. With proper planning, you can access generous incentives, generate renewable energy credits, and make your project far more energy-efficient over the long term. 

Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC, helps project sponsors identify cost-effective renewable and conservation technologies that fit the project, many of which are subsidized. Call us to learn how we can help you.
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]]> "Who can keep track of all these new rules??!!" - Notes and News from Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC tag:www.carljohnsonconsulting.com,2010:/cjcblog//5.3664 2010-02-22T19:47:27Z 2010-02-22T20:27:00Z Every single day, the Federal Register prints new rules, proposals, and interpretations of environmental and energy regulations that can affect your operations. If you operate in New York or the neighboring states, there are even more changes in the works,... Carl Johnson http://www.carljohnsonconsulting.com
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just launched a new Rulemaking Gateway, and so far it looks like a very useful tool for companies with compliance obligations. The site lets you sort rulemakings by topics, by the phase the rulemaking is in, and even by effects - so if you want to check out all the pending rulemakings that  anticipate an effect on small business, for example, you can keep tabs on them through this website. EPA is currently looking for feedback on this new site, and we highly encourage you to take it for a test run.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has a less sophisticated site but still makes it relatively easy to keep an eye on its regulatory proposals, which are featured on this webpage. DEC also publishes (by email) a weekly Environmental Notice Bulletin, which covered required notices of proposed actions throughout the state, including SEQR notices, proposed regulations, and permit activity.

It's still a huge amount to wade through. That's why one of the most important services Carl Johnson Consulting provides to its clients is to keep them up to date on Federal, State and local policies that could have impacts on their operations. Check out the official websites linked above, and if you have any questions about what you see, please give us a call or send us an email.


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]]> Does it matter to you if climate change is real? - Notes and News from Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC tag:www.carljohnsonconsulting.com,2010:/cjcblog//5.3645 2010-02-15T18:00:12Z 2010-02-15T20:16:42Z No matter when legislation is passed in Washington, or what final shape it takes, climate change regulations are already affecting your business. Twenty-five states now have some form of cap-and-trade program running or under development. Some states are already requiring... Carl Johnson http://www.carljohnsonconsulting.com
No matter when legislation is passed in Washington, or what final shape it takes, climate change regulations are already affecting your business. Twenty-five states now have some form of cap-and-trade program running or under development. Some states are already requiring projects to review their carbon impacts, an entirely new area of analysis. And the Securities and Exchange Commission has just issued new interpretive guidance for publicly traded companies required to disclose climate change information (for an excellent summary of this guidance by White & Case, please click here.)

As we get closer and closer to climate change legislation in the U.S., the advocates for both sides get more and more shrill, and the ratio of signal-to-noise is not improving. With all the vehemence and vitriol, is it possible for the uncommitted to determine what the answer is?

For most companies today, the secret answer is: it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if manmade climate change is happening now or not. If your company operates in the environmental or energy sector, what matters is the opportunities that are being created. The advocates too often miss the point that our climate change policies will drive us toward:

  • Energy independence
  • American jobs - including manufacturing jobs
  • Advanced energy technology.

Opponents who are worried about the costs of compliance too often miss the fact that for more than 40 years we have only increased our dependence on foreign oil, sending untold trillions of dollars out of the country. Redirecting our spending to the benefit of domestic companies and American jobs can only be a good thing. There's a reason General Electric has added 650 renewable energy jobs to its Schenectady, N.Y., operations - jobs with an average salary of $75,000.

The smart companies aren't waiting for one side or the other to prevail - they're already benefiting from the inevitable movement toward climate change regulation.


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]]> "How soon can I get my permits?" - Notes and News from Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC tag:www.carljohnsonconsulting.com,2010:/cjcblog//5.3643 2010-02-09T21:32:19Z 2010-02-10T20:15:01Z Your project is a puzzle, and the pieces not only have to fit, they have to fall into place at the right times. Often, the hardest piece of the puzzle is timing of permits -- and environmental permits can be... Carl Johnson http://www.carljohnsonconsulting.com
Environmental approvals can seem like a maze -- wrong turns, dead ends, and no clear view of the finish. What can you do to keep your project moving through the environmental maze? Plenty.

  • First, talk to your regulators, early and often. If you wait until you need your permits to start working on them, the bureaucrats aren't going to feel your pain.
  • Second, make sure you know all the permits you need, who needs to issue them, and which part of your team is responsible for them. It's best to have one person on your team who keeps track of all the permits.
  • Third, and most important: prepare to be flexible. Project sponsors often lose critical weeks or months arguing with regulators over what turn out to be relatively small points. Don't win the battle to lose the war.
No project is easy in New York, but with the right guidance, you can get the pieces to fit. Call Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC, for help in putting it all together.
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]]> Are you ready? - Notes and News from Carl Johnson Consulting, LLC tag:www.carljohnsonconsulting.com,2010:/cjcblog//5.3629 2010-02-07T16:28:21Z 2010-02-07T16:40:47Z New York State has long led the way on climate change regulation. From the early days of the Governor's Greenhouse Gas Task Force through the development of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, to the inclusion of important climate change considerations... Carl Johnson http://www.carljohnsonconsulting.com
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