The Town of Schoharie’s $10 DRI million award will be transformational.
Cobleskill’s soon-to-open Ramada, too, if on a smaller scale.
But the landmark decision that found the state’s tax formula for taxing large-scale wind and solar unconstitutional could be big too:
An additional $4.5-$5 million annually for just the 50-MW NextEra Energy project in the Town of Sharon and the 20-MW Rock District Solar project in the Towns of Carlisle and Seward.
It’s all part and parcel, Blenheim Supervisor Don Ariey told Economic Development Committee members Wednesday.
While “the state is sure to file an appeal, if we can prevail and convince the powers to be, including the Governor, that communities need a fair tax rate,” that, too, will be transformative, he said.
On March 3, Acting Supreme Court Justice James Farrell ruled in Scoharie County’s favor in a lawsuit that challenged the state’s assessment formula—and so taxes—for solar and wind larger than 1-MW.
No one’s arguing that wind and solar needs to be taxed at 100 percent, Mr. Airey said.
“But it needs to be fair.”
Under the tax formula Judge Farrell tossed, the Sharon and Carlisle/Seward project would have seen just $550,000 a year in taxes.
“Extrapolate that to the entire State of New York…You’re talking billions of dollars going to upstate New York communities,” Mr. Airey said.
“I really hope we can prevail. It’s a game-changer and it’s the right and fair thing to do.”
Since Judge Farrell’s decision, Cobleskill Supervisor Werner Hampel said, he’s been feeling a “full court press” from would-be solar developers.
“Get your pre-app fees,” Mr. Airey advised. “Separate the wheat from the chaff. It’s a way to vet them.”
Mr. Hampel said the Ramada—the former Best western—is looking at a mid-May opening date.
Doors for all 76 rooms are expected this week, he said; Phase 1 will also include the banquet hall and pool with the bowling alley and restaurant part of Phase 2 in the fall.
Mr. Hampel said the long-awaited Marshalls, in renovated Label Shopper building in the Price Chopper, is planning an April 10 ribbon-cutting.