Governor Hochul Announces Approval of Solar Farm in Allegany County

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) has issued a final siting permit for the Alfred Oaks solar farm. The project, located in the Town of Alfred, Allegany County, will generate 100-megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy and includes a 20 MW co-located battery storage facility. Once operational, the facility will reduce carbon emissions by over 87,250 metric tons annually, equivalent to removing more than 49,400 cars from the road. The project will produce enough electricity to power more than 13,000 average-sized houses.

"New York continues to take major steps toward creating a clean energy economy," Governor Hochul said. "With the issuance of this siting permit, we are creating good-paying, family-sustaining jobs in Western New York, while providing clean sustainable energy for our families and businesses."

Today's announcement marks the 16th major renewable energy facility permit issued by ORES since 2021. In total, these permits represent over 2.4 gigawatts of new clean energy. This success highlights New York's climate leadership and reflects the most rapid pace of major renewable energy facility approvals in State history.

The Alfred Oaks solar farm will consist of rows of photovoltaic panels, associated infrastructure, a battery storage facility, and an overhead transmission line connecting to the existing 115-kilovolt (kV) Andover-Palmiter Road transmission line owned and operated by New York State Electric & Gas Corporation.

Construction of the facility will create over 170 full-time jobs, generating approximately $22.8 million in earnings as well as two full-time equivalent jobs during operation with an estimated $120,000 in annual earnings.

Alfred Oaks Solar LLC, the project developer, is expected to provide significant funding to the county, towns and school districts in the form of payment-in-lieu of taxes and host community agreements to invest in infrastructure, additional services, and resources for residents in the communities hosting the facility.

Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission Interim Executive Director Jessica Waldorf said, "The announcement of the final siting permit for Alfred Oaks is an example of the State's continued commitment to responsible development of major renewable energy facilities. With this first permit issued by ORES in its new home at the New York State Department of Public Service, ORES continues to be well-positioned to help achieve New York's clean energy objectives, while ensuring the protection of the environment and being responsive to community feedback."

State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, "Today's announcement is further proof of Governor Hochul's sustained commitment to phasing out our reliance on polluting fossil fuels, reducing climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions, and transitioning New York State to clean, renewable energy sources like solar. DEC commends the Governor and ORES for their efforts to ensure solar is responsibly sited in New York State to benefit our communities and the environment."

Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Marguerite Wells said, "Every day a clean energy project moves forward is a good day in New York. This project will bring real, tangible benefits to Western New York including 170 new jobs. We thank the Governor and ORES for their leadership and for recognizing the public value of this project and advancing it to the next stage."

New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, "Clean power, green jobs, and critical energy storage - the sun is shining bright on New York's clean energy transition with Governor Hochul announcing the approval of this 100 MW solar farm and battery energy storage project. As the climate crisis grows more urgent by the day, we can no longer afford to just talk about renewable energy, we need to deliver real projects on the ground - like the Alfred Oaks solar farm - and more utility-scale battery storage so our grid is as reliable as it is robust."

Supervisor of the Town of Alfred Fion MacCrea said, "the Alfred Oaks Solar project represents significant, necessary change in energy production. Rural New York State towns like Alfred are on the forefront of these new investments, whose large scale installations come with costs and rewards. Our experience so far in Alfred has shown that ORES, DEC, and other State offices are important players in assuring the responsible and equitable development of projects statewide. We look forward to ongoing engagement with state leaders who support local government participation in New York's cleaner energy future."

Northland Power Senior Director of Development Chris Stanton said, "The State's approval of the siting permit for our Alfred Oaks Solar Project in Allegany County is a critical step forward in the project's development and is the result of a strong collaborative working relationship with the Town of Alfred and other local stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Alfred University, other local educational institutions, labor unions, and local and regional suppliers to bring this project to fruition in the coming years."

The Alfred solar farm application was deemed complete on January 16, 2024, and a draft permit was issued by ORES on March 18, 2024. Following the issuance of the draft permit, ORES accepted written public comment for 60 days and held a public comment hearing on May 29, 2024. ORES' decision follows a thorough, timely, and transparent review process ensuring compliance with Article VIII of the New York State Public Service Law and its implementing regulations.

This project and other major renewable energy facilities permitted and currently under ORES review are part of New York 's broader strategy to work towards the targets of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act's (Climate Act), which mandates 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emissions electricity sector by 2040.

For more information about the Alfred Oaks project and other ORES solar projects, visit the ORES website.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that a minimum of 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation's most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is advancing a suite of efforts - including the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and other complementary policies - to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. New York is also on a path toward a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $28 billion in 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the State, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York's climate action with more than 400 registered and more than 130 certified Climate Smart Communities, over 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State's largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.

Contact the Governor's Office