ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved important petitions for five major renewable energy projects. These wind, solar, and clean transmission facilities are an important part of the continuing effort of the Commission to spur the development of clean, renewable energy in New York State. The actions taken today relate to the projects’ development and the developers’ economic viability.
“These solar, wind, and transmission projects being built across New York are vital to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s ambitious carbon reduction and clean energy targets to combat climate change,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “Each of these major projects benefit all New Yorkers by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, boosting clean-energy investment, creating clean energy jobs, and improving our environment.”
The petitions approved today relate to Alle-Catt Wind, a 340-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming counties that will power 134,000 average-sized homes; Brookside Solar, a 100-MW solar facility in Franklin County that will power 16,500 homes; Champlain-Hudson Power Express, a 339-mile transmission line from Canada to New York City that will bring 1,250 MWs of clean hydroelectric power to more than 1 million homes; Horseshoe Solar, a 180-MW solar farm in Livingston County that will power 50,000 homes; and Heritage Wind, a 174-MW wind farm in Orleans County that will power 45,000 homes.
Taken together, these projects will provide clean energy for more than 1.24 million average-sized homes and create significant economic benefits for their host communities and New York State totaling more than $3.6 billion:
- Alle-Catt Wind: The Commission approved petitions related to Alle-Catt Wind, including an Environmental Management and Construction Plan (EM&CP) for a 10.2-mile overhead 345 kV transmission line and compliance filings for the 340-MW wind farm, both approvals allowing for commencement of civil construction; and the third petition approving requested financing.
- Brookside Solar: The Commission granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to enable construction of the Franklin County solar farm to begin.
- Champlain Hudson: The Commission approved petitions related to Champlain Hudson, including approving a change to the EM&CP which will allow the developer to shift portions of the cable alignment to address comments from co-located infrastructure owners, and it approved construction plans for a short overhead transmission line in Astoria, Queens.
- Horseshoe Solar: The Commission approved the transfer of ownership interests of Horseshoe Solar to Forward Power.
- Heritage Wind: The Commission granted permission to enable construction of Heritage Wind to begin, and it granted a lightened regulatory regime to the Orleans County wind farm.
New York State's Climate Agenda
New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.
Today’s decisions may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Numbers 21-T-0059/17-F-0282/23-E-0391 (Alle-Catt Wind); 24-E-0411 (Brookside Solar); 10-T-0139 (Champlain Hudson); 24-E-0465 (Horseshoe Solar); or 22-E-0204 (Heritage Wind) in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500).
