One of the largest commercial solar farms ever proposed in New York State will take center stage next Thursday at two informational open houses at the Sharon Springs Fire House.
Both sessions—August 30, with the first from 11am-1pm and the second, 5-7pm—will follow the same format and cover the same information:
A brief presentation, followed by a chance to talk with representatives from NextEra Energy, which is behind the proposal for the 785-acre Route 20 Town of Sharon project.
That format has members of Sharon’s Joint Planning Board alarmed; they have concerns over whether National Grid can even handle the additional electricity the solar farm would generate.
So far, members said, everything they’ve been told about the project is vague and now, they’re doubting any additional information will come out of the sessions on the 30th.
That might not come until September 5, 6:30pm, when NextEra plans to make a formal presentation to the Sharon Town Board.
“It’s very important that people attend one of these information sessions and ask questions,” said Supervisors Sandy Manko. “This is the time to speak…it’s an opportunity to find out what the project is.”
Though NextEra’s plans don’t extend into the Village of Sharon Springs, Mayor Doug Plummer echoed Ms. Manko’s words.
“There are so many unanswered questions out there,” he said. “This is a project that could really impact the economics of the region—both negatively and positively. People need to attend these open houses.”
The open houses are required by the state Public Service Commission which has the final say on energy projects of this size under what’s called Article 10, a state process for siting large power projects initially intended to protect communities by adding another layer of scrutiny.
The town is about halfway through a six-moratorium on commercial solar farms and with County Planner Alicia Terry, has been using the time to take a look at its solar law.
Ultimately, though, the fate of NextEra’s proposal will be determined by Article 10.
So far, Ms. Terry said, no projects have made it through the Article 10 process; every project’s that begun the review has fizzled or simply dropped off the radar.
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