The New York State Energy Plan, announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2015, calls for a doubling to 50 percent of the portion of the electricity used in the state that comes from renewable sources by 2030. This would lower greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and reduce the use of fossil fuels, especially natural gas. Much of this new renewable energy would be generated by wind and solar projects. Some of it would be from wind facilities to be built offshore in the Atlantic Ocean; the rest would be on the land. Various federal and state incentives and mandates, as well as declining costs, have induced private developers to propose large onshore wind and solar farms. However, a number of upstate and Long Island municipalities have adopted or are considering local laws that would inhibit this construction and thus make it more difficult for the state to meet its renewable energy goals. As state statute, Article X of the Public Service Law, allows the state to override these local laws. This column discusses the history and contents of Article X, the case law under it and its predecessors, and how it can be used to help the construction of renewable energy facilities.

The current financial crisis and economic recession have dramatically pointed out the economic fragility of large segments of the United States population and their vulnerability to financial products that are misrepresented or poorly explained. It also shows how many families, with little or no savings, live on the brink of financial disaster. Individual Development Account programs (IDAs) offer matched savings accounts as one solution to this low savings rate. These accounts have been effective at providing additional incentives to save, as well as multiplying the saving contributions of account holders so that assets can be more quickly accumulated.

The current financial crisis and economic recession have dramatically pointed out the economic fragility of large segments of the United States population and their vulnerability to financial products that are misrepresented or poorly explained. It also shows how many families, with little or no savings, live on the brink of financial disaster. Individual Development Account programs (IDAs) offer matched savings accounts as one solution to this low savings rate. These accounts have been effective at providing additional incentives to save, as well as multiplying the saving contributions of account holders so that assets can be more quickly accumulated.

The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the statute that requires the preparation of environmental impact statements for discretionary actions by state and local governments, has long been the most generative source of environmental litigation in New York. The following column discusses the downward trend of litigations under SEQRA in addition to the continuous rise of exemptions from SEQRA. Specifically, the author delves into recent exemptions from SEQRA, standings of SEQRA plaintiffs, SEQRA suits by applicants, safety issues under SEQRA, irregularities under SEQRA, and lastly, SEQRA state and city handbooks.

The general public has been excluded for too long from transportation decisions in Northeastern Illinois. Given the opportunity, the citizenry would fundamentally reform transportation planning to accomplish broader regional goals. The overall vision the public prefers would provide more transportation choice; include the public in transportation decision-making; re-invest in existing communities; invest to enhance land use and quality of life goals; provide a safe travel environment with improved accessibility for all; create a cleaner environment and preserve open space; and equalize the distribution of resources.

The Regional Green Building Case Study Project analyzes the post‐occupancy performance and costs and benefits of 25 LEED projects in Illinois related to: measured energy and greenhouse gas emissions, water, commute transportation, construction and operating costs, green premium, health and productivity impacts, and occupant comfort.

New laws were signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2013 regarding notice requirements in the Brownfield Cleanup Program, Bottle Bill enforcement, mercury thermostats, oversized lobsters, shark fins, and Eurasian boars, among other things. On the regulatory front, the state promulgated final regulations concerning New York\'s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and regulatory relief for certain dairy farms, and proposed regulations for liquefied natural gas facilities and invasive species. This annual survey describes new environmental laws that were enacted in New York in 2013, as well as several significant regulatory developments. Specifically, this survey looks at developments in the areas of air emissions, brownfields, energy, infrastructure, land preservation, solid and hazardous waste, water pollution, and wildlife.

A system for evaluating public investment in transportation that adopts a comprehensive understanding of economic benefits. This comprehensive assessment can be localized using the report\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s scorecard management matrix and used to guide public investment in transportation.

Illinois Smart Grid Initiative summary report focuses on growing and maintaining a \"reliable, affordable and clean\" electrical grid while keeping the following challenges in mind: environmental concerns, significant need for infrastructure investment, new uses of electricity, continued globalization, and increased energy prices. The report breaks down the Smart Grid initiative into four major components: smart technologies, smart rates, smart consumers, and smart governance.

Public investments of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds into public transportation produced twice as many jobs per dollar as investing in roads.