Governor Hochul Announces Approval of Rich Road Solar Energy Center
Posted on October 9, 2024
On September 20, 2024, Governor Hochul announced that Rich Road Solar Energy Center, a subsidiary of EDF Renewables North America, was granted a siting permit under the Article VIII of the New York State Public Service Law by the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (“ORES”). The Project is an approximately 240-Megawatt solar powered electric generating facility, including a 20-Megawatt Battery Energy Storage Facility to be located in the Town of Canton, St. Lawrence County. The Project Developers estimate that it will generate clean energy capable of powering more than 61,000 average-sized homes.
The Facility itself will feature three ground-mounted solar PV arrays on single-axis tracker racking systems, a 34.5 kilovolt (kV) to 345 (kV) collection substation, and a point of interconnection switchyard. Construction of the facility will create more than 300-full time jobs, with four permanent positions during operation. The Project is expected to provide $24 million in direct payments to the Town of Canton, St. Lawrence County, and local school districts over the next 35 years.
This is the 18th major renewable energy facility to receive a permit in New York from ORES, 17 of which have been represented by Young/Sommer. Jim Muscato and Laura Bomyea Darling serve as permitting counsel for the project.