State gets closer to approving Rich Road solar project in Canton - North Country Public Radio

State gets closer to approving Rich Road solar project in Canton | NCPR News

State gets closer to approving Rich Road solar project in Canton
Catherine Wheeler (St. Lawrence Valley Reporter)

New York State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) says EDF Renewables needs to make a few changes to its draft permit, but there is no need for further hearings on the Rich Road solar project. The state has not given final approval to the project.

EDF proposes building a 240-megawatt commercial solar project in Canton, southwest of the village on Route 11. It would be the single largest solar development in St. Lawrence County so far.

Canton’s solar attorney Bill Buchan says ORES’s update wasn’t unexpected.

"We had hoped that there would be some accommodations to the issues that we raised, for example, battery safety issues," Buchan said. "But all of those issues were deemed to be insignificant from the ORES standpoint, so none of the things that we asked to be heard will go any further."

The proposed battery storage site on the development is one of a few environmental and safety concerns that some residents and local governments have raised. That’s after three battery storage sites in New York caught on fire last year. They say if there was an accident, it could put a strain on already limited emergency services in the area.

But others say the development will help in the pursuit of more renewable energy to fight against climate change and bring in some revenue to the community. Some say they support solar development but want more transparency and accountability between the locals, the state and the companies.

Outside of the state’s permitting process, there are still a few things EDF and the town have to agree upon, Buchan said.

One is a road use agreement. That will include how to manage traffic during construction and how to protect the communities' roads.

"There is also a payment in lieu of taxes agreement that's been proposed through the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency and a host community benefit agreement, which is between the town and EDF. Those issues will all remain under discussion by the parties."

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EDF project developer Jonathan Geldard says conversations between the company and communities will include discussions about concerns, like safety and EMS support.

The state will continue to process the application. It’s expected to be approved.