Specialist committees in the A-TWG

A-TWG members may suggest the creation of Specialist Committees (SCs) to do more in-depth research, analysis, and deliberation around an issue or data and knowledge gaps that have been identified by the group. SCs will be supported by the facilitators of the A-TWG and are to be comprised of stakeholders with specific technical expertise and who can provide geographic and/or sectoral balance, as needed. Specialist Committee members will be appointed based on their relevant subject-matter expertise or first-hand knowledge and experience with the topic under consideration. Specialist Committees should aim for a limited number of core members (approximately 6 to 8) ready and willing to do the work. SC members may include non-A-TWG members as recommended and approved by the A-TWG.

REQUEST for NOMINATIONS for REGIONAL AGRONOMIC IMPACT FROM SOLAR ENERGY (RAISE) SPECIALIST COMMITTEE of the A-TWG

The New York State Agricultural Technical Working Group (A-TWG) is announcing the creation of the new Regional Agronomic Impacts from Solar Energy Specialist Committee, or the RAISE Committee. The purpose of this specialist committee is to support the A-TWG in its advisory function to the State of New York and other participating entities, and to provide advice and guidance to help steer efforts to advance renewable energy development in a responsible way that supports New York State’s agricultural operations, lands, farmers, and communities. In carrying out its mission, the RAISE Committee will advise and inform development of a study (or suite of studies) that can be undertaken to assess the relative benefits and impacts of solar energy development on regional farmland economies.

The RAISE Committee is intended to be comprised of collaborative intentioned members from a balanced group of stakeholders representing farmland protection and agricultural representatives, solar industry representatives, state agencies and independent advisors. To ensure that diverse perspectives are appropriately represented, nominations are sought from those engaged in agricultural economic development and farmland protection initiatives from different regions of the state. Individuals with expertise or working knowledge in one or more of the state’s regional agricultural economies, commodity markets, and/or farmland protection efforts are strongly encouraged to express interest or be nominated. We anticipate that between 4 and 6 individuals across this range of expertise will participate in the committee.

It is anticipated that the RAISE Committee will meet up to 8 times through the end of 2024, with average meeting times of 1.5 hours. RAISE Committee members will be expected to inform in-depth research, analysis, and deliberation around an issue or data and knowledge gaps that have been identified by the group. The RAISE Committee will be supported by the facilitators of the A-TWG. Consistent with the A-TWG’s Charter, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), in collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and under the advisement of the A-TWG, will seek to ensure that RAISE Committee members appropriately reflect the State’s different regions, major farm commodities, agricultural economies and perspectives.

If you have interest or would like to nominate someone to participate, please contact: Bethany Meys, Program Coordinator for Environmental Research at NYSERDA at Bethany.Meys@nyserda.ny.gov. Nominations will be accepted through October 20, 2023. Thank you for your consideration to advance this important work. To learn more about the A-TWG, please visit https://www.nyatwg.com/.

Agrivoltaics Specialist Committee

Purpose

Purpose of AGV-SC: Given that NYS would like to advance Agrivoltaics that is beneficial to farmers and their communities to encourage further development of solar while maintaining and demonstrating viable commercial agriculture operations, the AGV-SC shall:

Develop a stronger understanding of the current state and potential for AGV in NYS to promote land use efficiencies, supplement agricultural revenue streams, and minimize land use competition.
Identify information and knowledge needed to better understand the viability of AGV across a range of conditions in NYS.
Provide guidance on how policies and programs could be developed or amended to advance AGV.

Agrivoltaics: a simultaneous use of land for solar photovoltaic power generation and agricultural production of “crops, livestock and livestock products,” as that phrase is defined by New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) § 301(2).

Meeting Materials

November 9, 2022 Meeting- Agenda 11/9/22 [PDF] | Presentation 11/9/22 [PDF]

January 5, 2023 Meeting- Agenda 1/5/23 [PDF] | Presentation 1/5/23 [PDF]

February 17, 2023 Meeting- Agenda 2/17/23 [PDF] | Presentation 2/17/23 [PDF]

April 6, 2023 Meeting- Agenda 4/6/23 [PDF] | Presentation 4/6/23 [PDF]

June 1, 2023 Meeting - Agenda 6/1/23 [PDF] | Presentation 6/1/23

July 13, 2023 Meeting - Agenda 7/13/23 [PDF] | Presentation 7/13/23 [pdf]

September 29, 2023 Meeting- Agenda 9/29/23 [PDF] | Presentation 9/29/23 [PDF]

Smart siting scorecard specialist committee

Purpose

NYSERDA has developed the Smart Solar Siting Scorecard to 1) provide a tool to address multiple solar siting considerations and site management practices from the perspective of environmental, agricultural, and climate interests and 2) to provide criteria for renewable energy developers to consider in siting future projects, and include within project design, operations and maintenance, and decommissioning plans to encourage a balanced approach between renewable energy siting and other New York State policies, goals, and objectives. The Scorecard Specialist Committee provides input to NYSERDA on what avoidance and minimization approach to reduce impacts on these lands and how to value these approaches in a Scorecard format.