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For Immediate Release: 7/01/24 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
24056/15-F-0122 July 01, 2024
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Siting Board Approves Amendments to Major Wind Farm Project |
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2nd Phase of Project in the Town of Freemont Transferred to Affiliate 242 MW Clean Energy Facility Forecasted to Bring Over $44.2 Million to Local Economy
Project Creates Over 135 Direct Construction Jobs
Local Governments Receive PILOT Payments, Host Towns Receive Community Benefits
Project Will Generate Enough Electricity for 60,235 Average-Sized Homes
ALBANY — The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (Siting Board) today granted Baron Winds LLC (Baron Winds), a 242-megawatt (MW) wind farm in the towns of Cohocton, Dansville, Fremont and Wayland, Steuben County, an amendment to its construction plans. The project, along with other wind and solar projects currently under development, are vital to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s (Climate Act) aggressive carbon reduction and clean energy targets.
“In keeping with Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious goals for carbon reduction and a clean energy economy, we must continue to develop the clean energy resources in New York State needed to help all New Yorkers,” said Siting Board Chair Rory M. Christian. “Our action today regarding Baron Winds 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.”
On September 6, 2022, Baron Winds filed a petition to amend the second phase of the project, which is located primarily in the Town of Fremont. In addition, Baron Winds proposed to transfer the second phase of the project to an affiliate Baron Winds LLC II. In today’s decision, the Siting Board granted the request, subject to conditions designed to avoid or minimize impacts to the maximum extent practicable during construction and operation. According to the developer, the project as originally described would have a major positive economic impact on the host communities, including creating 117 direct jobs in construction and construction-related services in the State, with workers earning a total of approximately $5.8 million. The developer estimates that the facility would generate 10 onsite jobs during the annual operation of the facility, with earnings of approximately $300,000 to $400,000, along with 22 construction jobs created specifically in Steuben County, with estimated earnings of $1 million. In their original decision in 2019, the Siting Board examiners determined that the wind farm will be a beneficial addition to the electric generation capacity of the State and is consistent with the State’s energy policy and planning objectives. The facility will also serve the goals of improving fuel diversity, grid reliability, and modernization of grid infrastructure. Fuel diversity will be improved through generation of electricity with wind power rather than with fossil fuels; grid reliability will be improved through additional generation of power from a separate site through a different energy source; and modernization of the grid will result from construction of a new electric generating facility. The Siting Board’s decision to grant the certificate is subject to lengthy and detailed conditions that will address the concerns of the parties and ensure that, as built and operated, the project will be consistent with the findings and conclusions of the Siting Board. Additionally, local governments will receive PILOT payments of approximately $25.7 million over 20 years. Host towns will also receive payments estimated to be up to approximately $12 million over 20 years under community agreements. Participating landowners will also receive payments under agreements with the applicant. The project will generate enough electricity for 60,235 average-sized homes.
The 242 MW Baron Winds project will be built in two phases. The first phase — which became commercially operational in early 2023 — is located in the Towns of Cohocton, Dansville and Wayland in Steuben County. This first phase includes 32 turbines at a maximum height up to 650 feet, producing an estimated 122 MW of clean renewable electricity, along with associated electrical collection lines, access roads, meteorological towers, an operation and maintenance building, and a collection substation. The facility is located on privately leased rural land that will continue to be used for farming, forestry and other comparable uses. The second phase of the project will consist of up to 26 wind turbines of up to 650 feet producing up to 120 additional MWs in the Town of Fremont. The amount of land set aside for the project will increase to 1,242 acres. New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is advancing a suite of efforts – including the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and other complementary policies – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. New York is also on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $28 billion in 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the State, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with more than 400 registered and more than 130 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
Today’s decisions may be obtained by going to the Siting Board’s Documents section of the at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 15-F-0122 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Documents may also be obtained from the Siting Board’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
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