The construction of the planned 18 solar farms in New York by state-owned ORES is facing setbacks as locals mount resistance. There are numerous projects planned such as the 100MW solar energy complex in Fort Edward, covering 1,800 acres. Others also include the 4,000-acre (6.25-square-mile), 500-megawatt Cider Solar Farm in Genesee County and the 2,000-acre (3.1-square-mile) Ridge View Solar Farm in Niagara County.

The move is driven by the New York’s green energy mandate which went into effect with 2019’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The mandate requires 70 percent of statewide electricity to come from “renewable” sources. It also requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels and at least 3,000 megawatts of energy storage capacity. Moreover, the timeline to accomplish these is to happen by 2030. However, local opposition has always pushed the plans back, as it is now. Solar projects have become a fundamental in the US energy mix with projects such as the Enel solar panel factory set up in Oklahoma highlighting this necessity.

Reasons for Opposition on the Planned 18 Solar Farms by ORES

The planned 18 solar farms in New York by ORES are facing opposition as residents note the projects will be harmful for the environment. They also note that it will not produce as much energy as projected to facilitate the state to achieve its aims. Locals are worried that chemical runoff and contamination may also affect their farms. Many of the multibillion-dollar solar contracts have also been farmed out to foreign companies, an aspect some critics are infuriated by.

Foreign contracted companies include Canada’s Boralex, France’s EDF Renewables, and South Korea’s Cypress Creek Renewables. In a statement to The Post, an ORES spokeswoman said, “The staff at ORES take their responsibility for permitting these energy resources very seriously, including incorporating critical input from communities, and are focused on ensuring the best outcome for New York State consumers in every decision that comes before ORES.” Despite the pushbacks, ORES seems determined to follow through with its plans.

Project Factsheet

• Project Name: ORES Planned Solar Farms Program
• Location: Various locations across New York, USA
• Estimated Investment Value: Multibillion-dollar renewable energy program
• Project Type: Utility-scale solar energy developments

Timeline

• Clean energy mandate enacted: 2019
• Renewable energy target deadline: 2030
• Current phase: Planning and permitting
• Project implementation facing delays due to opposition

Site & Scale

• Planned projects: 18 solar farms
• Major projects include Fort Edward, Genesee County, and Niagara County
• Largest project: 500MW Cider Solar Farm
• Combined developments span thousands of acres

Project Teams

• Lead agency: Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES)
• Supporting authority: State of New York
• Foreign developers involved: Boralex, EDF Renewables, Cypress Creek Renewables
• Local stakeholders: Farming and rural communities

Infrastructure Scope

• Large-scale photovoltaic solar farms
• Battery and energy storage integration targets
• Grid connection infrastructure
• Renewable generation to support statewide electricity demand

Challenges

• Strong local resistance and permitting delays
• Environmental and chemical runoff concerns
• Opposition over farmland use impacts
• Criticism regarding foreign company involvement

Current Status

• Multiple solar projects still advancing
• Community opposition remains active
• ORES continuing permitting and approvals
• New York pursuing 2030 renewable energy targets