Home / Environment / NY Solar Plan: Environmental Fears & Ownership Questions
NY Solar Plan: Environmental Fears & Ownership Questions
23 Jul
Summary
- A 200MW solar facility and 100MW battery storage is proposed in Sullivan County.
- Concerns include environmental impacts on wildlife, wetlands, and proximity to the Neversink River.
- Questions arise over a property owner's role as legal counsel for the county's IDA.
A significant renewable energy proposal, the Town Line Solar project, has been submitted to New York state for approval in Sullivan County. This project aims to establish a 200-megawatt solar facility paired with a 100-megawatt battery energy storage system, covering more than 1,200 acres across Thompson and Forestburgh. If greenlit, it would be the largest utility-scale solar installation in the Catskills and Hudson Valley regions.
Community members have voiced strong opposition, citing environmental concerns such as impacts on wildlife, wetlands, and proximity to the Neversink River Unique Area. Residents are calling for thorough environmental reviews and accountability for long-term community impacts. Additionally, questions have surfaced regarding one of the project's landowners, whose business entities control land leased for the solar farm, while he simultaneously serves as legal counsel for the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency.
New York state's Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) will now review RWE's application, a process that could take up to 12 months after determining the application's completeness. Local officials and residents can utilize community intervenor funds for legal and environmental expertise during this crucial review period. The county is approaching this novel review process with caution.
