In 2015, long-awaited reform of New York’s Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) emerged from the annual budget process. The BCP amendments extended the availability of tax credits for 10 years and also changed the eligibility criteria for tax credits, including by restricting the eligibility of New York City sites for the historically lucrative tangible property credit. In 2015 Governor Andrew Cuomo also signed new laws regarding the Oil Spill Fund, water pollution controls, energy, and hazardous waste program fees.
This annual survey reports on these developments and other environmental laws enacted in 2015, as well as significant regulatory developments.
