Moss Ridge Solar Project
The Moss Ridge Solar project is a 60MW-AC solar photovoltaic (PV) facility being developed on private land off County Road 18 in the Town of Dekalb in St. Lawrence County, NY. Moss Ridge Solar is an opportunity to boost the local economy through lease payments to participating landowners and increased property taxes while also creating new jobs to support domestically generated clean energy.
System Location & Details
LOCATION: The Moss Ridge Solar project is located off County Rd 18 in the Town of Dekalb.
ESTIMATED TIMELINE: (subject to change pending approvals)
March 21, 2024: Community Meeting
August 30, 2024: Submit ORES Application
December 2024: Receive Interconnection Agreement
September 2024: Receive ORES Permit
December 2025: Issue Notice to Proceed for Construction
December 2027: Commence Commercial Operations
DOCUMENTS
Benefits for the Local Community
Local tax revenue: Municipal services including the town, county, and school district all benefit from the millions of dollars in increased tax revenue from the project, all of which is negotiated as part of the permitting process.
Host community benefits: Locals would see a bill credit on their electricity bill paid by Moss Ridge Solar. The amount will total $300,000 over 10 years.
Jobs: The Moss Ridge Solar project is expected to create roughly 54 full-time equivalent jobs during the 18-month construction phase, and 2+ full-time jobs during operations. Strategic partnership(s) with local labor unions will provide members with jobs in and around the communities in which they live.
Indirect Benefits: In addition to the benefits of local employment and spending, the Moss Ridge Solar project will breathe new life into the local economy, providing a boost for local businesses during the construction phase.
Support for New York’s Clean Energy goals: Moss Ridge Solar supports New York State’s renewable energy goals to reach 70% renewable energy generation by 2030 and zero-emissions electricity by 2040.
Environmental and Health Impacts
Construction Activity: Construction will be primarily conducted by small and medium-sized equipment. Safety goals are a top priority for New Leaf Energy. Our project team is committed to operating a safe working environment during the construction and operation phases for workers and the public.
Operation Activity: During operation, all maintenance work will be performed during the workday to minimize impact. Solar farms themselves are quiet. There will not be any noise concerns at night, because operations are during the day only. New Leaf Energy has launched a noise monitoring study for the solar farm to ensure the system meets NYS noise requirements.
Your Questions, Answered
We know you may have questions about utility-scale solar. We’ve answered common questions here, and if you have additional questions, please call 518-901-3893 and a member of our team will get back to you. For any other general information about solar, check out one of the best sources of information we’ve seen.
Are solar projects safe?
Yes. Panels are made of solid materials and do not present any chemical hazards to people, underlying soil, or groundwater. For decades, communities have been safely living and working around solar projects without issues. They do not create any greenhouse gasses or other air pollutants or waste by-products.
How is this project going to benefit me?
Communities benefit with the potential for millions of dollars in added tax revenue dollars and jobs during construction. Funds generated through a solar project can help revitalize schools, road infrastructure and essential services like emergency response system upgrades. The project will deliver these economic benefits without making additional demands or impact on community services.
How do solar projects impact property values?
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar farms do not typically impact property values. Several other studies conducted in the United States reveal similar results on adjacent property values. SEIA also cites cases that have had positive impacts. Read more here.
How long will construction take?
We estimate that the construction will last between 18-24 months. Construction will occur between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Sundays and national holidays. Project component deliveries may occur during extended hours on an as-needed basis, and the extended hours would be coordinated with the Town of Dekalb, and St. Lawrence County.
What happens at the end of the system’s life?
The solar farm will be decommissioned at the end of its life. Before beginning construction, New York State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) will require the Project to submit a decommissioning plan and post a decommissioning bond or letter of credit before construction begins. This cost estimate and bond will be updated every five years to cover the full cost of decommissioning less the salvage value.
Public Engagement
New Leaf Energy is dedicated to engaging the local community and landowners. The Moss Ridge Solar project is being permitted under a state-level process called 94-c which is a comprehensive review that provides many opportunities for public input and involvement. More information on the 94-c process can be found on New York’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) website.
Community Meetings
New Leaf Energy will be hosting two informational meetings on March 21, 2024. New Leaf Energy experts will provide information about the project, the studies being conducted, interactions with state and local officials, and details regarding the 94-c permitting process, including the anticipated application date and information pertaining to the future availability of local agency and community intervenor funds. Press releases, videos and other materials from the open houses will be posted on this website as they become available.
Intervenor Funding
Any local agency or potential community intervenor shall submit a request for initial funding within thirty (30) days of the date of application filing and that such request be made to the Office of Renewable Energy Siting, at the Albany, New York office, Attention: Request for Local Agency Account Funding. Each request for funds from the local agency account must contain all items listed on page 76 of the ORES regulations under §900-5.1 Local Agency Account section (h).
Project Document Repositories
Printed Application Materials can be viewed at the following locations during normal business hours. Please confirm hours of operation with each location as they may be subject to change.
The Office of Renewable Energy Siting - Address - ores.ny.gov/permit-applications
Town of Dekalb Town Hall - 2907 Co Rd 17, De Kalb Junction, New York 13630 - https://www.townofdekalb.org/
Richville Free Library - 41 School St, Richville, NY 13681 - https://richvillefreelibrary.org/
After Moss Ridge’s ORES application is submitted, the application will be available to the public on ORES’s website under “Permit Applications”. Please click on the blue link under the “Project Permit Application Number” column to view the application. Additionally, a link will be posted to this website.
Other relevant documents including ORES regulations that the Project will abide by and ORES contact information can also be found on their website.
Subscribe to Notices
If you would like to follow the proceedings in the Moss Ridge Solar 94-c Application, you may do so by subscribing to the service list of the case once the Permit Application Docket has been established. By subscribing to the service list, you will receive email notifications with links to documents filed by the parties in the 94-c Application proceedings, such as correspondences, orders, notices, rulings and formal comments. Instructions on how to register for the service list are provided in the Permit Application Portal Registration & User Guide available on the ORES website.
Once the required notices have been posted, they will be uploaded on this page. The notices, along with all other materials filed in the Moss Ridge Solar 94-c Proceedings can be found in the Permit Application Docket.
At New Leaf Energy, we partner with landowners, policy makers, and other stakeholders to accelerate renewable energy adoption. One of the most experienced renewable energy developers in the United States, we have an unparalleled track record of converting potential projects to gigawatts in the ground. Learn More →
About New Leaf Energy
New Leaf Energy - Lowell Office:
Phone: (800) 818-5249
Mailing Address: 55 Technology Drive, Lowell, MA 01851
Project Developer - Alex Yager
Phone: 518-901-3893
Email: ayager@newleafenergy.com
ORES – General
Phone: 518-473-4590
Email: general@ores.ny.gov