December 9, 2022
The New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES or Office) today issued a final siting permit for Invenergy’s Horseshoe Solar Energy LLC to develop, design, construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a 180-megawatt (MW) solar electric generating facility to be located in the Town of Caledonia, Livingston County and the Town of Rush, Monroe County.
This solar facility is expected to generate enough clean energy to power over 50,000 New York homes and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 40,000 cars off the road. This project and other major renewable energy facilities permitted and currently under ORES review are vital to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s (CLCPA) aggressive carbon reduction and clean energy targets to combat climate change.
On December 23, 2021, Horseshoe Solar Energy LLC transferred its pending Public Service Law article 10 application with a completeness determination from the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment to the Executive Law § 94-c process. The transfer application was deemed complete upon filing pursuant to section 94-c. With today’s decision, the Office has now issued eight siting permits since 2021. The Office’s decision for this facility follows a timely, detailed and transparent review process with robust public participation to ensure the proposed project meets or exceeds the requirements of Executive Law § 94-c and its implementing regulations.
Office of Renewable Energy Siting Executive Director Houtan Moaveni said, “The approval of Horseshoe Solar is a big win for New Yorkers, continuing our accelerated path to a zero-emission grid by 2040. ORES continues to move the State's pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects forward while carefully and meticulously reviewing each project. This solar facility demonstrates that the protection of local and State resources and economic development can go hand-in-hand with our efforts to combat climate change.”
This solar facility is expected to provide over $12 million in the first 20 years to the counties, towns and school districts in in the form of payment-in-lieu of taxes (PILOT) and host community agreements to invest in infrastructure, additional services, and resources for residents in the communities hosting the facility. Further, this solar facility is expected to spur over $30 million in local economy investment and create over 300 short and long-term jobs. This solar facility would be the largest solar grazing operation in the Northeast, preserving the productivity of the farmland while giving farms the opportunity to increase their flock and expand their business.
Today’s decisions may be obtained by going to the Office’s website at https://ores.ny.gov/permit-applications.
Media Contact:
Nathan Stone | [email protected] | (518) 473-4536