SOLAR POWER IN NEW YORK
Sugar Maple Solar Project
The Sugar Maple Solar Project is a 125 MW solar generating facility with a 20 MW battery storage component proposed to be located on the border of the Towns of Croghan and Wilna in New York. The Project will positively impact both the environment and the local economy by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 162,000 metric tons each year – the equivalent of taking an estimated 34,000 cars off the road – and producing significant tax revenue and other economic benefits for the area.
125 MW planned solar capacity + 20 MW battery storage
To be located in Jefferson and Lewis Counties, New York
Our clean energy commitment
AES’ Sugar Maple Solar Project is a proposed facility in New York. We are committed to responsible clean energy development that creates long-term value and positive impact for both the environment and local communities.
Economic and environmental benefits
We believe in being a good neighbor, ensuring responsible clean energy development that benefits both the environment and local communities without burdening existing infrastructure.
162K Metric tons
of carbon dioxide emissions expected to be reduced each year
Will provide local tax revenue to the community and county
Local jobs expected to be created during construction
Project details
The Sugar Maple Solar Project will support New York State’s climate goals and will have minimal impact on neighboring landowners, nearby communities, and surrounding landscapes. The Facility has been designed to minimize impacts to the maximum extent practicable and unavoidable impacts will be outweighed by the economic and environmental benefits of the Facility.
- Will span approximately 1,500 acres.
- Plans to connect to the Black River to Taylorville (NY) and N. Carthage to Taylorville 115kV lines.
- Generates sustainable electricity, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy and helping meet New York’s Energy requirements.
Clean energy benefits
local communities
Long-term tax revenue to local communities and school districts
Job creation during construction and operation
Local economic stimulus during construction
Improved air quality and reduced CO2 emissions
Social impact funding to area community organizations and non-profits
Non-permanent development and low-impact construction that ensures land can be sensitively restored to pre-project conditions at the end of the project’s life
Project updates
Sustainability Resources
Sustainability best practices
At AES, safety is our highest priority, and we’ve focused on improving lives for more than 40 years. As a leading innovator in energy solutions, sustainability is core to both our strategy and our culture. We are committed to responsible land use and incorporating sustainable best practices into the entire project lifecycle, contributing to building a domestic circular renewables economy and reducing foreign dependence.
Local partnerships
At AES, we understand that our success as a company is only as strong as our partnerships with the communities where we operate. That’s why we partner with communities, customers, state agencies, higher education, elected officials, and other key stakeholders to see how we can best work together to support sustainable social and economic development.
Environmental and technical studies
We conduct a series of studies that ensure our projects are thoughtfully and responsibly designed. Check back in soon for a list of studies that this project will conduct.
Project Resources
Permitting process
On February 25, 2021, Sugar Maple Solar filed a letter with the Secretary to the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC) noticing its election to be subject to Executive Law Article VIII and stating its intent to file a Transfer Application with the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES).
Article VIII (formerly Section 94-c, enacted in April 2020) established the ORES within the NYS Department of State to provide a single forum for the environmental review and permitting of proposed major renewable energy facilities. This includes renewable energy systems with a nameplate generating capacity of 25,000 kilowatts or more, co-located energy storage systems, and electric transmission facilities less than 10 miles in length. The final Article VIII (formerly Section 94-c regulations) were issued on March 3, 2021 and can be viewed here.
Article 10 applications that have received a completeness determination will be deemed complete under the new Article VIII (formerly Section 94-c), while projects currently undergoing the Article 10 siting process can choose to either remain in Article 10 or opt-in to Article VIII. The Article VIII regulations issued by ORES include an expedited permitting process to account for matters and issues already presented and resolved in the alternate Article 10 proceedings.
Prior to submitting a Article VIII permit application, projects are required to consult with the local agencies and stakeholders of the community(ies) in which the proposed project will be located. ORES also requires that state agencies (e.g. NY DEC) are consulted on wetland and stream delineations, threatened and endangered species, and archeological and cultural resources, if appropriate. Agency consultations should take place at the earliest point possible in the applicant’s process.
Following consultations with impacted agencies, Article VIII applicants must hold at least one meeting for community members. The Sugar Maple Virtual Community Meeting will be held on April 8, 2021.
Outside of the Article VIII public comment period and requirements, Sugar Maple Solar is committed to ongoing stakeholder and community engagement; including maintaining the “Public Involvement Program (PIP) Plan” log, even though it is not a Article VIII requirement.
Documents filed in the Project proceedings may be viewed online at the PSC’s website by clicking “Search” on the homepage and then entering Case Number 20-F-0129 in the field “Search by Case Number”, or by directly visiting the Sugar Maple Solar DMM. Interested parties may subscribe to the service list or request party status for the Sugar Maple Solar Project by accessing the Project proceedings via either of the links included above.
How to become an intervenor in the Article VIII (formerly Section 94-c) process
Upon the filing of a Article VIII Application, Sugar Maple Solar will post an intervenor fund ($1,000/MW) which can be sought by local community intervenors and host towns. 75% of funds are reserved for municipalities.
Any local agency or potential community intervenor seeking funding must submit a request for initial funding within thirty (30) days of the date of application filing. Such requests can be made to:
OR by mail to:
Attention: Request for Local Agency Account Funding
Office of Renewable Energy Siting
Empire State Plaza
240 State Street
P-1 South, J Dock
Albany, NY 12242
If you have questions regarding the intervenor process please contact the ORES office.
Sugar Maple Solar DMM
PIP Plan Materials
Contact us
For any inquiries or comments about Sugar Maple Solar please contact us directly at:
Office Address: 292 Madison Avenue 15th Floor New York, NY 10017
New York Office Hours
Have a question or comment for AES about their work in your community? Give us a call during these hours to talk to a company representative.
- Every Monday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST
- Every Thursday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM EST
- Call our New York office at 866-757-7697 (866-SLRPOWR)