Brian Isoldi, AICP, LEED AP
Senior Environmental Planner
WSP USA, New York
The New York State Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act (Rapid Act) revolutionizes large-scale renewable energy project development through a streamlined siting and permitting process, prioritizing climate resilience and responsible land use. The Rapid Act created Article VIII under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) requires this evaluation as part of the siting process. This innovative approach evaluates project sites based on climate hazards such as flood risk, coastal erosion, extreme weather events, and temperature changes, and emissions from embodied carbon and operational maintenance with developers submitting Climate Resilience Plans to optimize project locations. This poster uniquely visualizes the integration of climate risk strategies in project siting, leveraging maps, graphs, and charts to illustrate the complex metrics and decision-making process involved including flood zone avoidance, optimal design strategies, and mitigation of environmental resources. By showcasing real-world applications this poster provides unparalleled insights into the intersection of renewable energy development and climate resilience, offering a valuable resource for policymakers, developers, and stakeholders seeking to advance sustainable energy solutions.