New York has one of the highest electricity prices in the United States and as such, it has made various efforts to encourage people to move to renewable energy in a bid to help reduce prices. There are a number of programs that have been introduced such as the he NY-Sun Initiative Megawatt Block Program and the New York State Solar Equipment Tax Credit which are already in motion and helping thousands of New Yorkers however, on a larger scale, the state has also been pushing for new renewable energy projects such as the Rich Road Energy Center.
Rich Road Energy Center is the latest sanctioned solar project in New York. The project proposed in Canton village would involve construction of 240 MW solar production and a 20 MW battery energy storage facility on 1,700 acres of land spread out along both sides of Route 11. This will be the largest single solar project for the village till now. EDF Renewables was granted permission for Rich Road Energy Centre just last week by the Canton Office of Renewable Energy and Electric Transmission. The energy from the station will power about 61,000 average-size homes.
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Project hurdles
The proposition has faced its fair set of challenges with various officials in Canton voicing worries about the aesthetics and economics of the project. Besides that, it also mentioned the fear of experiencing once more the 2023 fire at the solar farm near Chaumont. But despite all that, the developers got. Officials were reassured that projects this big are usually governed by the state, superseding local law and regulations.
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Community Benefits to the Canton Village
The solar attorney for the town and village of Canton, Bill Buchan, told North Country Public Radio there are a number of payment details still to be negotiated. He says the town and village are working on a PILOT agreement with the solar company. Officials from the state say that the project will bring numerous benefits to the Canton community. The community will receive over 300 full-time jobs during construction. Four permanent positions will be created during operation; however, the project will result in US$24 million in direct payments to the Town of Canton, in addition to other local school districts in St. Lawrence County over the next 35 years. In addition, US$1.2 million will be generated annually in tax revenue for local municipalities. More than US$500,000 in direct lease and neighbor agreement payments to landowners.
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According to officials, this also meets Article VIII and application provisions from ORES, substantive provision of applicable state laws and regulations, local laws and ordinances, further reducing or avoiding, “to the maximum extent practicable, potential significant adverse environmental impacts of the Facility.”
Rich Road Energy Center Construction Timeline
It is expected that construction will begin in the first half of 2025, to be concluded by 2027. The planning process has been running for 3 years. Haylee Ferington, community relations manager for EDF Renewables said, “We are delighted with this, and will continue our work in the community of Canton to marry in the design. We are very proud of what we have achieved to date. We look forward to the next stage in moving forward with the local community.”
Project Overview
Project Name: Rich Road Energy Centre
Size: 240 MW solar production, 20 MW battery energy storage
Project scope: 1,700 acres
Location: Canton Village, New York
Project Developers: EDF Renewables
Construction timeline: 2025 to 2027
