CANTON – Two Office for Renewable Siting (ORES) administrative judges heard public remark from 16 audio system who expressed considerations and reward for the proposed EDF Renewables 240-megawatt Rich Road photo voltaic undertaking.
About 60 folks attended the general public listening to held within the Laurentian Room of the Best Western University Inn. Honorable Christopher McEneney Chan and Honorable Dawn MacKillop Soller convened.
The majority of feedback have been directed at questions of safety on the 20-megawatt battery power storage facility. Other feedback targeted on aesthetics, vegetation, clearing of agricultural land and wildlife.
First to talk was Village of Canton Mayor Michael Dalton.
“While this undertaking we’re speaking about tonight will not be within the village, it’s proper subsequent to it and will have a big effect on our residents. I’m utilizing this quick time I’ve to remark solely about fireplace safety for the EDP undertaking,” mentioned the mayor. “Please perceive that my feedback usually are not for or towards this undertaking. My considerations are the fundamental and fundamental water provide in our village and the flexibility of our village fireplace division to offer the required safety of fireside for this undertaking.
The mayor mentioned that it’s needed to enhance the water provide within the barangay to successfully reply to fires with battery power storage.
“An engineering examine to evaluate the necessity for the required enhancements to the water provide system within the village should be authorised by ORES and paid for with intervenor funds,” mentioned Dalton. “Improvements to the water provide system recognized in an engineering examine must be paid for by the Rich Road Energy Center.”
Dalton additionally endorsed a plan to have a monetary mechanism in place to make sure the required gear is offered for any emergency.
“An annual cost to the Canton Fire Department will set up a particular fund to assist future gear and coaching wants distinctive to a BESS. [battery energy storage system] fireplace,” he mentioned.
Canton resident Mark McKenna downplayed the protection subject of battery storage, saying electrical automobiles and charging stations are simply as, if no more, harmful.
“I’m extra fearful about folks getting injured within the village than outdoors the forest,” he mentioned.
Barry Whiteford, Canton, additionally addressed the protection subject of battery storage, referring to trains touring by way of the village carrying poisonous chemical compounds.
“Instead of strolling up and down the again of EDF, attempt to cut back the pace of the trains and have a plan in case of a spill,” Whiteford mentioned. ‘This [the solar project] is the most effective factor that has ever occurred to this neighborhood. “
Canton resident Barb Rogers agreed {that a} particular fund must be established to take care of questions of safety on the battery power storage facility.
“The applicable annual funding for our emergency companies division is separate and impartial from different city and village funding,” he mentioned.
Matilda Larson, Canton, expressed considerations about clearing forest land for a fence line.
“I’ve considerations about the way in which the power is ready up. The forests should be cleared to accommodate the renewable power techniques,” mentioned Larson.
Klaus Proemm, a former village trustee and member of Canton’s Sustainability Committee, expressed considerations concerning the photo voltaic complicated’s sufficient water provide and electrical energy invoice breaks for Canton residents.
“I’ve been a longtime advocate of photo voltaic power,” Proemm mentioned, noting that some DeKalb residents will see fee reductions. “Canton ought to negotiate the identical host settlement with EDF.”
Proemm added {that a} 20,000 gallon water storage tank is proposed on the Rich Road web site however questioned whether or not that will be sufficient water within the occasion of a fireplace.
“Is that sufficient? If they want wells how will it have an effect on the native aquifer,” he mentioned.
Comments on Joint Town, Village
William Buchan, the legal professional employed by the city and village to deal with the photo voltaic points, spoke briefly however offered a 20-page submission to ORES representatives Tuesday night time.
Buchan’s written remarks underscored his consumer’s considerations concerning the Rich Road photo voltaic undertaking going towards the rules of the brand new city code and Canton’s complete plan. He mentioned the Route 11 hall is prime for the event of native companies, hospitality, retail and different everlasting tax paying entities that create jobs.
“If photo voltaic panels occupy these zones all potential future residential and industrial improvement shall be successfully destroyed,” Buchan wrote.
His feedback additionally targeted on the protection of the battery power storage system (BESS) with a subhead titled “BESS Facilities Are Unsafe and Should Not Be Located in Our Community” adopted by “Dangers of BESS Fires and Explosions Can’t Be Avoided or Reduced.”
Buchan’s feedback additionally touched on the impacts on agriculture, decommissioning, human well being impacts and runoff from the BESS fireplace, and water provide points.
Written feedback concerning the appliance and the draft allow situations should be submitted to ORES by 5 pm on Friday, May 10,
Persons submitting written feedback are strongly inspired to submit their feedback within the ORES Permit Application Portal (ORES Portal) system. To submit a remark, go to https://ores.ny.gov, click on on “Permit Applications,” click on on Project Permit Application Number 22-00031, and click on on “Post Comments” on higher proper aspect of the display screen. Written feedback might also be emailed to ORES at [email protected] or mailed to the Office of Renewable Energy Siting, Empire State Plaza, P-1 South, J Dock, Albany, NY 12242.
