What's next for Elmira solar project? Planning Board hosts informational meeting March 10
Elmira area residents who want to learn more about a controversial solar power and energy storage project proposed for a rural location in the Town of Elmira will have that opportunity March 10.
The Town of Elmira Planning Board will hold a public informational meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the gym at Hendy Elementary School, 110 Hendy Ave. in West Elmira.
Carson Power, a New York City-based renewable energy company, last April asked the Planning Board to approve its proposal to build a 4.6-megawatt solar energy and lithium-ion battery storage project on 22 acres of vacant land at 200 West Hill Road.
The property in question is forested land owned by Robert Agan Jr. of Elmira, and Carson Power would lease the land from him and clearcut the trees to make room for its facilities.
The Planning Board held two public meetings on the proposal that were reportedly sparsely attended, but concerned citizens spoke out against it during a Jan. 29 community meeting at the White Eagles Club in Elmira, many claiming they didn’t have enough information and objecting to the location of the project.
The site is within a short distance from the Elmira Correctional Facility, Ernie Davis Academy, the Elmira Water Board reservoir and Arnot Ogden Medical Center, and some residents are concerned about the potential health and environmental impact of a fire or other emergency at the lithium-ion battery storage facility.
Trees on forest land adjacent to Skyler Schmidt’s property in the Town of Elmira are targeted for removal if the town approves a new solar energy/battery storage project on that parcel.
Dig deeper Elmira solar proposal fuels opposition, spurs debate. What residents, company are saying
Representatives from Carson Power and from the Energy Storage Response Group are expected to be on hand to give presentations at the March 10 meeting, according to Elmira Town Supervisor Ann Gerould.
Members of the Town Board will also be attending, said Gerould, who added it’s not likely the Planning Board will decide on approval at that time, but will take points and concerns raised during the meeting into consideration before a future vote.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Controversial Elmira solar project subject of public meeting March 10