 |
|
|
For Immediate Release: 06/03/20
John B. Rhodes, Chair
Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
20047 / 17-F-0282 June 03, 2020
|
|
Siting Board Approves Its Largest Wind Farm to Date |
|
Wind Farm Will Generate up to $78 Million in Local Property Tax Revenues Over 20 years
Local Governments to Receive $3.2 Million Annually in Payments from Wind Farm
ALBANY — The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (Siting Board) today granted approval to Alle-Catt Wind Energy LLC (Alle-Catt) to build and operate a wind farm in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming counties. The Siting Board’s decision follows a detailed review and robust public participation process to ensure that the Western New York wind farm meets or exceeds all siting requirements. Alle-Catt Wind and other wind and solar projects currently under development are vital to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s (CLCPA) aggressive carbon reduction and clean energy targets.
“In keeping with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s ambitious goals for carbon reduction and for a clean-energy economy, we must develop the clean energy resources in New York State needed to help all New Yorkers,” said Siting Board Chair John B. Rhodes. “Our decision today to approve the largest wind farm to date will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and demonstrates that renewable energy works in New York and helps move us toward a clean energy future.”
The 340-megawatt (MW) Alle-Catt wind project will consist of up to 116 wind turbines, with associated underground collection system and substation and related infrastructure in the Towns of Arcade (13 turbines), Centerville (36 turbines), Farmersville (21 turbines), Freedom (33 turbines), and Rushford (13 turbines) in the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming. The Alle-Catt project has been under review since December 2017.
The facility will be located on approximately 30,000 acres of privately leased land and will enable landowners to continue with existing land uses. The project will provide economic benefits by creating direct jobs, will generate revenues for local governments through payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements, and will provide revenues for participating landowners through lease and other agreements. The next largest project approved to date by the Siting Board was the 290.7 MW Canisteo Wind project in Steuben County. As described by the developer, the $454 million project would have a positive economic impact on the host communities, including a construction workforce of approximately 182 jobs with a payroll of $15 million, and will provide up to 13 permanent jobs during the operation of the facility.
Alle-Catt estimates that the project represents a major local investment, which will result in a significant increase to the local taxable property base. In the first year, the wind farm estimates $7 million in direct economic benefits to host communities for the PILOT, host community agreement payments, fire district taxes, and participating leaseholder payments. Once operational, Alle-Catt says it will pay more than $2.7 million annually to local landowners over the life of the project through annual lease payments. This consistent stream of supplemental revenue can protect against fluctuating commodity prices and help maintain family farms. Overall, Alle-Catt estimates that annual property tax and tax-related payments include PILOT and host community agreement payments, and up to $3.2 million in local property taxes over the life of the project.
The Siting Board examiners determined that the wind farm will be consistent with the energy policies and long-range planning objectives and strategies contained in the most recent State Energy Plan. Based on this, and based on its consideration of other relevant social, economic and other factors, the Siting Board determined that the project will be a beneficial addition to the electric generation capacity of the State, and will also serve the goals of improving fuel diversity, grid reliability, and modernization of grid infrastructure.
Alle-Catt’s formal application to the Siting Board was deemed compliant on May 8, 2019. The 47 active parties to the proceeding included local municipalities, community groups, local residents, and several state agencies. The record includes more than 525 public comments. The Siting Board held two on-the-record public statement hearings and conducted several days of evidentiary hearings at which expert and factual testimony was taken. Municipalities and community groups that sought intervention in the case were eligible to receive $473,000 in intervenor funds to participate in the development of the record.
Today’s decision demonstrates how New York is working to achieve Governor Cuomo's Green New Deal — the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, putting the state on a path to being entirely carbon-neutral across all sectors of the economy and establishing a goal to achieve a zero-carbon emissions electricity sector by 2040, faster than any other state. Additionally, the CLCPA mandates the Green New Deal’s national leading clean energy targets: nine gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, six gigawatts of distributed solar by 2025, and three gigawatts of energy storage by 2030, while calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy.
The CLCPA directs New York State agencies and authorities to collaborate with stakeholders to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 and aim to invest 40 percent of clean energy and energy efficiency program resources to benefit disadvantaged communities.
Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Documents section of the Department of Public Service’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 17-F-0282 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call 1-800- 342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
|
|
|
###
|