Today, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) issued final siting permits for its first two major solar facilities. Accordingly, the Riverhead Solar 2, LLC and Morris Ridge Solar Energy Center, LLC received the fastest siting approvals in New York.
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About the projects
According to a media release, these two projects align with the State’s commitment to ensure that its renewable energy pipeline will be permitted in a timely and responsible manner.
Additionally, ORES said it continues to see a strong market interest in its new permitting process; particularly, with a pipeline of 46 permit applications in various stages of review. Also, the Office anticipates several more applications throughout the rest of the year.
Regarding the projects, Riverhead is a 36-megawatt solar electric facility in the Town of Riverhead, Suffolk County. On the other hand, Morris Ridge Solar Energy Center is a 177-megawatt solar electric facility. It also has 83-megawatt battery energy storage in the Town of Mount Morris, Livingston County.
According to ORES, these projects will create over 430 temporary and full-time jobs. Besides, they’ll spur over $200 million in private investment to help stimulate the State’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, local taxing jurisdictions will receive over $20 million in payments in place of taxes and other funding over the two projects’ lives.
NY ORES Outlook and support
Accordingly, ORES expects these solar facilities to generate enough renewable energy to power more than 46,000 NY homes. Also, to reduce carbon emissions by over 208,000 metric tons annually; in fact, this is the equivalent of taking more than 41,000 cars off the road every year.
In this regard, Governor Cuomo said; “As part of our aggressive clean and renewable energy goals, we’re committed to protecting New York State from the effects of climate change. Also, to helping ensure renewable energy sources can be built and distributed easily and efficiently.”
Moreover, “New York has long been a national leader on climate change, and with the approval of these two projects, we are taking significant steps toward saving the environment,” added Cuomo. Besides, these projects will foster “new jobs and investment to bring our economy back better, stronger and greener from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Reception
Similarly, ORES Acting Executive Director Houtan Moaveni said; “In keeping with Governor Cuomo’s goal for a clean energy economy, today’s decision demonstrates how New York State is working to advance the development of major renewable energy facilities more quickly.
Moreover, the State is “also ensuring the protection of the environment and consideration of all pertinent social; economic, and environmental factors in permitting such facilities; particularly, with input from local governments and host communities, continued Moaveni. Therefore “we look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders as these facilities are constructed.”
Worth noting, these approved solar facilities will help the state combat climate change; particularly, with the help of the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act.
