Solar project in Hounsfield and Watertown draws resident opposition
A permitted solar facility spanning Hounsfield and Watertown is drawing opposition from some residents ahead of a Hounsfield public hearing on an updated solar law.
By Caleb Mercer, ClickNNY North Country Desk
A solar facility planned for parts of Hounsfield and Watertown is drawing opposition from some nearby residents ahead of a public hearing Wednesday, Oct. 14. The hearing is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Hounsfield Town Hall, 18774 County Route 66, Watertown, and concerns the town’s updated Solar Law.
The New York Department of Public Service Office of Renewable Energy Siting lists a permit for the 120-megawatt Greens Corners Solar facility in Hounsfield and Watertown. The permit holder is listed as Greens Corners Solar, LLC, under Matter 21-00982.
Boralex’s project page lists a final siting permit dated Sept. 22, 2022, a modification accepted in February 2024, a planned construction start in the fourth quarter of 2027 and commissioning in the third quarter of 2029. The page lists the facility at 140 megawatts.
The project area is around Old Rome State Road. One account described about 800 acres of land for the solar panels. Boralex lists a facility area of 3,031 acres, with a fenced area of about 1,074 acres and a limit of disturbance of about 1,177 acres.
Some nearby residents have raised concerns about possible effects on property values, quality of life and natural habitat. Residents have also discussed potentially pursuing legal action related to the state permitting process.
The project was developed through New York’s Section 94-c renewable-energy siting process. The state Office of Renewable Energy Siting held a public comment hearing on the draft permit July 21, 2022. Under that process, the towns did not make the state permitting decision.
Hounsfield Town Supervisor Beth Arthur said the town board will listen to residents. The project is expected by its developer to create hundreds of construction jobs, support several full-time positions and generate tax revenue for Hounsfield, Watertown, Jefferson County and local school districts.
The Oct. 14 hearing will be followed by a Hounsfield Town Board meeting. Information about the project is available through the state Department of Public Service’s ORES permit list and filings for Matter 21-00982. ORES can be reached at 518-473-4590 or general@ores.ny.gov.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
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