In June of 2022 ConnectGen Cayuga County, LLC was awarded a contract by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) for the development of Harvest Hills Solar 2, a 100 MW solar facility in the towns of Genoa and Venice, Cayuga County. ConnectGen Cayuga County, LLC is an affiliate of ConntecGen. The NYSERDA award is for the first phase of the larger Harvest Hills Solar Project which is expected to install up to 200 MW of solar along New York State Route 34 in southern Cayuga County. The Project is anticipated to use up to 1,620 acres of land.

ConnectGen Cayuga County has not announced an approximate date to submit its application for a siting permit to the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) pursuant to Executive Law 94-c. 94-c provides an expedited permitting process for the siting of large-scale renewable energy projects.

Under the expedited permitting process, local governments are required to assess whether a project can comply with local laws, and to provide information about such compliance to ORES. Local agencies such as town and county governments, as well as private citizens and community groups, can apply for state managed “local agency” funding to at least partially offset the cost of participating in the ORES siting process. The money can be used for retention of attorneys, experts, and engineers. Such attorneys and experts can assist the local agency in tasks including reviewing project applications and potential impacts, advocating for a local government’s interests in the ORES proceeding, reviewing whether a project can comply with all applicable local laws and preparing required reports for review by ORES, and submitting comments on the draft permit.

The Zoghlin Group, PLLC, represents individuals, municipalities and other clients with power plant siting, environmental law, zoning and land use law, and municipal law. We provide legal services to local governments and interest groups across New York State. We also assist municipalities with PILOT and Host Community Agreement negotiations.

For inquiries about Yellow Barn Solar and the process for siting large power plants pursuant to 94-c of the Executive Law and/or Articles 7 and 68 of the New York State Public Service Law, please contact The Zoghlin Group.

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