The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced agreements on two municipally-owned sites for potential renewable energy development.
Under the memorandums of understanding (MoUs), NYSERDA through its build-ready programme will work closely with two municipalities, Dannemora in the North Country and Brookhaven on Long Island, to explore the feasibility of developing renewable energy projects on otherwise underutilized lands.
NYSERDA said the announcement represents progress under the state’s Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act and advances New York’s goal for 70% of the state’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
The first MoU with Dannemora is in relation to the Lyon Mountain iron ore mine, which was nominated by the Town of Dannemora and the Adirondack North Country Association.
The former iron ore mine has been dormant since the late 1960s, but was once a bustling operation, providing iron ore for the Golden Gate Bridge and many other uses for approximately 100 years.
The 282-acre site will potentially host a large-scale renewable energy project in an effort to bring new economic growth and an opportunity for positive downtown revitalization.
The second MoU with Brookhaven follows the passage of a local resolution by the Town Board on 30 June, and will be the first step to investigate and complete the necessary due diligence and community engagement.
The Solid Waste Management Complex spans 400 acres and is under consideration for potentially hosting a large-scale solar project.
Repurposing this site would support Brookhaven’s goal of transitioning the Solid Waste Management Complex into a clean energy park and bringing benefits to the local community.
NYSERDA will now conduct further due diligence and community engagement to evaluate the prospects of two large-scale renewable energy projects.
If there is local acceptance, strong project feasibility, and agreement to move forward between NYSERDA and the municipalities, NYSERDA will initiate development activities including detailed engineering, interconnection, and permitting.
NYSERDA president and chief executive Doreen Harris said: “Our build-ready programme is part of New York’s comprehensive approach to accelerating the development of large-scale renewable energy projects and is helping bring forward projects that stimulate local and regional economic growth while achieving the state’s clean energy goals.
“Today’s agreements are an important step in understanding the practicality of transitioning these underutilized sites into revenue-generating renewable energy facilities, and we look forward to working with the towns of Dannemora and Brookhaven to ensure any potential project reflects the unique character of each community.”
Dannemora town supervisor Deborah Coryer said: “We are looking forward to a positive outcome from the studies for this possible renewable energy project in Lyon Mountain.
“It would benefit the Town as a whole, but especially benefit the residents of the Hamlet who may be able to realize savings to their annual energy costs.
“The Town Board welcomes anything we, as a municipality, can do to create a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.”
Brookhaven town supervisor Ed Romaine said: “Brookhaven Town is proud to partner with NYSERDA for this exciting project.
“As Supervisor, I’m a strong supporter of alternative energy so we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and depend on the energy mother nature provides through wind, solar and sea current.
“This fits in with our plan to repurpose the landfill to repurpose the landfill as an energy park through fuel cells, solar and other potential renewable energy in the future. I want to thank NYSERDA for partnering with town of Brookhaven and look forward to working with them for other projects in the future.”