SOLAR MEETING — Representatives of Apex Clean Energy speak during a meeting at Boonville Elementary School Tuesday to share with residents plans for a proposed solar-power project near the Adirondack Beverage Company.
Megan Plete Postol
BOONVILLE — Apex Clean Energy hosted two public informational hearings last week to provide information and take questions from the community about the solar energy project proposed in the towns of Boonville and Forestport. Apex Clean Energy presented to interested community stakeholders Tuesday at the Boonville Elementary and Wednesday at the Forestport Town Hall.
The room was packed in Forestport as representatives for Apex Clean Energy discussed project scope, the permitting process, and the potential economic impacts for the area. Alder Creek Solar would potentially provide approximately $400,000 per year, which would be split between the county, the towns of Boonville and Forestport, and local school districts.
“I’m glad this many people showed up for the meeting,” Natalie Roth of Benn Realty said.
The point of interest is centered near the Alder Creek Beverage company. The project would potentially consist of multiple areas of solar-energy generating units connected underground. The area the solar farm would be built on up to 1,000 acres of leased private land from multiple land owners.
This area is ideally suited for a solar project, according to Apex Clean Energy Public Engagement Manager Brian O’Shea.
“This area makes sense as a renewable solar resource,” he said. “One reason is transmission capacity. The existing infrastructure means that we will not have to build miles of new transmission line. Another reason is New York in general is a great place to develop renewable energy.”
Read more at Boonville Herald/Rome Sentinel.