SOLAR POWER IN NEW YORK
Empire solar project
AES’ Empire solar project is a planned 125 MW solar generation facility that will be located in the Town of Westfield, New York. The Empire solar project will help diversify the state’s energy resources while delivering affordable and reliable energy to meet New York’s rapidly growing electricity demand.
125 MW planned capacity
Enough clean energy to power 17K homes
Located in Chautauqua County, NY
Our clean energy commitment
AES’ Empire Solar Project is a planned 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.
102k tons
of CO2 emissions reduced each year, improving air quality and reducing CO2 emissions
$7K
contributed through stakeholders as part of AES’ Social Impact Program
Project details
- Sited on approximately 1,500 acres of land
- Will connect to the 230 kV South Ripley to Dunkirk Line
- At the end of the project's life, a decommissioning plan enables the land to return to agricultural use or other uses consistent with landowner preferences
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
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.
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.
Environmental and technical studies
We conduct a series of studies that ensure our projects are thoughtfully and responsibly designed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
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
Project resources
Permitting Process
On February 25, 2021, Empire Solar filed a letter with the Secretary to the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC) noticing its election to be subject to Executive Law Section 94-c and stating its intent to file a Transfer Application with the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES).
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 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 94-c process, while projects currently undergoing the Article 10 siting process can choose to either remain in Article 10 or opt-in to 94-c. The 94-c 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 94-c 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, 94-c applicants must hold at least one meeting for community members. The Empire Solar Virtual Community Meeting will be held on April 22, 2021.
Outside of the 94-c public comment period and requirements, Empire Solar is committed to ongoing stakeholder and community engagement; including maintaining the “Public Involvement Program (PIP) Plan” log, even though it is not a 94-c 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-0085 in the field “Search by Case Number”, or by directly visiting the Empire Solar DMM. Interested parties may subscribe to the service list or request party status for the Empire Solar Project by accessing the Project proceedings via either of the links included above.
How to become an intervenor in the 94-c process
Upon the filing of a 94-c Application, Empire 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:
general@ores.ny.gov
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.
PIP Plan materials
Empire Solar
April 2021 virtual community meeting resources
April 2020 virtual info session resources
Contact us
For any inquiries or comments about Empire Solar please contact us directly at:
Office Address: 292 Madison Avenue 15th Floor New York, NY 10017
New York office hours
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)