On May 27, 2020 Flint Mine Solar LLC filed an application for a "Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need" under Article 10 of the NYS Public Service Commission regulations. This application can be found here, and also here, on the NYPSC''s website.
As is required under the NYPSC''s Article 10 power plant siting regulations, the sponsors of Flint Mine Solar prepared a Public Involvement Program (PIP) Plan in 2018. The Flint Mine Solar PIP Plan, which can be found here, introduces the project to the local community, stakeholders and other interested parties; describes the Article 10 process; outlines future activities related to sharing project information; and establishes how the public can participate in the stakeholder process by asking questions and providing comments.
Flint Mine Solar held its first Project Open House on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Pegasus Restaurant in Coxsackie. Two sessions were held, and each included a presentation on the proposed Project, as well as a poster reception and opportunities for the public to meet a 15-member project development team, ask questions, and identify areas of interest to the community.
The sessions were well attended, with over 110 individuals in attendance, not including the Flint Mine Project Team. Participants were able to view posters with information on topics such as environmental impact assessments, project schedule, construction methods; to watch a video simulation showing potential visibility of the project from major thoroughfares in the community; to make written or oral comments at the session, or to receive instructions on filing comments on DMM in the future; and to provide their contact information for future outreach efforts.
Further information on the May 30th Open House, including copies of the poster boards, presentation, invitation list and preliminary project maps valid as of May 30th were filed with the Siting Board on June 22nd, 2018 and can be found at the above link.
Flint Mine Solar held its second Project Open House on Thursday November 8th, 2018, also at Pegasus Restaurant in Coxsackie. On this occasion three presentations were made on the proposed Project (at 12.30pm, 4pm and at 6.30pm); as with the first Open House, there was a poster reception and opportunities for the public to meet eleven members of the project development team, ask questions, and identify areas of interest to the community.
The first members of the public came at 11.45 am and there was constant activity until after 8pm. About 90 individuals were in attendance, not including the Flint Mine Project Team, with the vast majority being residents of Athens and Coxsackie. Participants were again able to view posters on environmental impact assessments, project schedule and construction methods; to make comments or ask questions at the conclusion of the three presentations; to receive instructions on filing comments on DMM in the future; to express interest in future employment or business opportunities or provide written comments, and to share their contact information for future outreach efforts.
Further materials from the November 8th Open House, including copies of the poster boards, presentation and preliminary project maps have been made available. These project maps mirrored those in the PSS (see below) and are valid as of November 8th, 2018 (due to the nature of the development and permitting process, these maps are subject to change until the Facility is constructed. The Second Open House Materials were filed with the Siting Board on November 16th, 2018 and can be found here.
As is further detailed in the PIP Plan, the sponsors of the Flint Mine Solar project have endeavored to find a relatively concealed project location, where the low-profile solar electric generating plant will be largely hidden from view from most nearby residential properties, as well as from US Highway 9W, Schoharie Turnpike and the other major thoroughfares in the project area. The sponsors will implement a mitigation plan to minimize impacts on local archaeological resources and wildlife habitats that may exist on some of the former farm fields that are proposed to host this solar photovoltaic project.
In November of 2018 Flint Mine filed a Preliminary Scoping Statement ("PSS") to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the scope and methodology of studies to be conducted in support of a future Article 10 Application. This filing of the PSS kicked off the Article 10 scoping phase, beginning with a 21-day public comment period on the scope and methodology of the studies proposed.
The PSS document, among other things, described and identified the environmental setting in the area where the Facility is proposed, the potential environmental and community impacts from construction and operation of the Facility, and anticipated benefits of the Facility on the environment and local community, as well as on the State''s achievement of its renewable energy generation goals.
The PSS also identified and described the environmental studies Flint Mine Solar has conducted during the Article 10 process to assess potential impacts to land uses in the Facility area; public health and safety; ecological resources, protected species and habitats, and water resources; communications, transportation, and utilities; cultural, historical and recreational resources; visual impacts and screening; sound; and impacts on the statewide electrical system, among others.
After many months of negotiations, stipulations were released for public comment in late 2019, and fully executed stipulations were filed in January 2020.
Flint Mine Solar has entered the next phase of the Article 10 process, with the May 27, 2020 filing of its Article 10 Application, which includes the studies agreed to during the scoping and stipulations phase, as well as detailed information about the proposed Facility. Notices were circulated to local residents, and published in local newspapers, as set forth in the Flint Mine Solar Public Involvement Program (PIP) Plan.
To facilitate participation in the upcoming Application and Hearings phases of the Article 10 process, Flint Mine Solar will submit $100,000 toward an intervenor fund, to be disbursed by the Hearing Examiners to host municipalities and local groups seeking to participate in review of the Application. By law, at least fifty percent of this fund will be set aside for municipal parties. Instructions for accessing these funds will be issued by the Examiners once the Application is filed.
Members of the public will have opportunities to review the Application materials online and at local document repositories, to submit public comments on the Siting Board''s website, and to make formal comments on the record at Public Statement Hearings, which will be scheduled soon after the State determines the Flint Mine Application complies with Article 10''s requirements. The Siting Board will then have one year from that compliance determination to make a decision on the Application.
On March 9, 2018 Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the latest round of solar and wind energy awards under the NYS Clean Energy Standard, which includes the Flint Mine Solar project. Together these projects "represent a significant step in advancing the Governor''s [plan] to obtain 50 percent of New York''s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. Award recipients were chosen from a pool of 88 applications from 30 clean energy developers. The state''s $1.4 billion investment is expected to spur over $3 billion of direct investment over the life of the projects, with support for these new projects provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority." That entire announcement can be found here.
For those interested in monitoring Siting Board Proceedings, there are several options available for those who wish to participate in or monitor the proceedings of a particular case. Please read the details of each in the attached document and decide which is the best option for you. Click here to view the document.
© 2015 Hudson Energy. All Rights Reserved.
website design & development by harbor light interactive.
Submission of Article 10 ApplicationOn May 27, 2020 Flint Mine Solar LLC filed an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need(CECPN) under Article 10 of the New York Public Service Law. This application can be found here or here.
Proposed Facility Location MapView the Proposed Facility Location Map
Article 10 ApprovalThe New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment approved the Project and issued the on August 4, 2021. The Article 10 certificate can be found here.
It''s not uncommon for energy facility projects to refine and finalize project elements before breaking ground. In this instance, DESRI has worked to refine Flint Mine Solar''s engineering and design as we move toward the start of construction. That''s why DESRI is now proposing several refinements, through an amendment to the project''s approved Article 10 application, to improve and modernize the project''s original design plan in a number of ways.
It''s important to note that the proposed refinements in the Article 10 amendment do not materially change the project footprint in any way. Thanks to technology improvements, we can refine the design in a several ways that maintain – and in some cases, reduce – potential impacts to the community, wildlife and cultural resources, as compared with earlier designs. For example, the changes would reduce land usage. The changes to the project will not cause increased issues with stormwater runoff in the neighborhood.
DESRIThe Flint Mine Solar Project was developed by affiliates of Hudson Energy Development and Amber Infrastructure from 2016 until June 30, 2022 when it was sold to D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI). DESRI is now the long term owner of the project and responsible for bringing the project through construction. DESRI and its affiliates develop, acquire, own, and operate long-term contracted renewable energy assets in the U.S. DESRI's portfolio of contracted, operating and in-construction renewable energy projects currently includes more than 65 solar and wind projects representing more than 6 GW of aggregate capacity.
About Athens new york electric grid
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Athens new york electric grid have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Athens new york electric grid for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Athens new york electric grid featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
