Public hearing set for solar project

Public hearing set for solar project

SCHUYLER COUNTY--The New York State Board On Electric Generation Siting and the Environment has announced March 23 there will be a public hearing on the proposed 50-megawatt solar project located in the Town of Dix. The meeting will be held virtually on the internet. The solar development has been proposed by the Watkins Glen Solar Energy Center, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC.
Proponents of the project say it would not only aid in reducing greenhouse emissions but also create financial and employment gains locally.
"The Watkins Glen Solar Energy Center can bring tremendous value to Dix and Schuyler County in terms of jobs, millions of dollars in additional revenue over the life of the project, and help New York meet its energy goals," said Lindsay Robertson, senior communications specialist for NextEra Energy Communications.
If construction is approved, Robertson said any jobs created by the construction of the solar farm would be filled with an eye towards hiring locally.
"We estimate that during construction, our project will create more than 100 temporary jobs, and our goal is to hire as many workers as possible from the local area," Robertson mentioned.
Robertson added she expects construction could begin sometime in 2022.
"The facility would include solar photovoltaic generating panels, access roads, electric collection system lines, and interconnection facilities, including a substation and switchyard," stated Robertson. "The facility is proposed to interconnect with New York State Electric and Gas Corporation's existing 115-kilovolt Bath - Montour Falls transmission line."
Anyone interested in participating or attending the public hearing must register to do so by visiting www.webex.com by 5 p.m. on March 22.
The login information is as follows.
DATE: March 23, 2021
TIME: 6 p.m.
Electronic Access: www.webex.com
Event Number: 179 071 7030
Password: March23-6pm
Phone-Only Access: 518-549-0500
Access Code:179 071 7030