Plans for major solar project in Montgomery County cancelled

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.Y. (WRGB) — A major solar project proposed in Montgomery County is no longer moving forward.

Flat Creek Solar, a 300-megawatt project planned in the towns of Root and Canajoharie, has formally relinquished its state siting permit, which was issued in April.

The decision comes after years of pushback from some local residents and county leaders, who argued the company did not fully study the impacts the 3,000-acre facility would have on the community.

“It means they are completely giving up its rights under the permit, and if they were to restart, they would have to go back to the very beginning, which is good news for Montgomery County, because we have been challenging all along that this permit does not adhere to Montgomery County local laws,” said Meghan Manion, Montgomery County attorney.

Earlier this year, the county filed lawsuits against the state and the developer, claiming local laws were not followed during the approval process.

CBS6 reached out to the developer to ask why it decided to walk away from the project, but has not yet received a response.

MORE: State goals, Local impacts: Inside the fight over where large-scale solar should go in NY

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