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Public hearing on possible town opt-out of state solar tax exemption draws proponents and critics
Summary
Representatives from Solar Liberty urged the Town Board to retain New York’s RPTL §487 exemption for solar and battery systems; some board members said opting out could protect local tax revenues from large-scale developers.
The Cheektowaga Town Board conducted a public hearing on whether to adopt Introductory Local Law No. 1 of 2025 to opt out of Real Property Tax Law §487 — a state provision that allows municipalities to grant a partial property-tax exemption to solar and certain other renewable-energy installations.
Why it matters: RPTL §487 makes solar and certain energy-storage investments more financially attractive by sheltering the increase in assessed value from property tax for a set period. The board is considering whether retaining the exemption helps local homeowners and small businesses afford rooftop systems or whether opting out protects school districts and municipalities from…
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