Section 487 of the state Real Property Tax Law grants a fifteen-year
exemption from real property taxation on the increase in assessed
value attributable to the construction or installation of qualifying
solar or wind energy systems, farm waste energy systems, micro-hydroelectric
energy systems, fuel cell electric generating systems, micro-combined
heat and power generating equipment systems, electric energy storage
equipment and electric energy storage systems, and fuel-flexible linear
generator electric generating systems. Real Property Tax Law §
487 also authorizes a municipality to opt out of granting that property
tax exemption by adoption of a local law. The Town of Crawford is
substantially a residential community, and the Town Board seeks to
promote appropriate business development. However, since the Town
is substantially residential, the Town Board seeks to protect the
Town's tax base by adoption of this article, which requires that solar
energy systems, wind energy systems, farm waste energy systems, micro-hydroelectric
energy systems, fuel cell electric generating systems, micro-combined
heat and power generating equipment systems, electric energy storage
equipment and electric energy storage systems, and fuel-flexible linear
generator electric generating systems are subject to the payment of
Town taxes.