BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- A proposed solar project in the towns of Brasher and Massena will be under scrutiny during a virtual public statement hearing on Wednesday, April 29 at 1 p.m. when the Public Service Commission hosts a procedural conference. 

The proposed Two Rivers Solar Farm is currently seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with a petition filed with PSC as part of the regulatory process that would allow the privately owned firm to build and operate a solar array on 1,000 acres. 

The 200-megawatt solar facility was first proposed by Boralex in 2021. 

Officials said the project would create 150 jobs during the construction phase, which would last around 16 months, before creating two or three full-time support jobs following completion. 

The project would see significant infrastructure investment that would include a substation to tie into the New York Power Authority's new infrastructure, as well as a substation and site roads, officials said. 

Boralex officials have claimed the project would support the local economy and businesses during the construction phase, bringing tax revenue to the towns of Brasher and Massena, as well as the county, St. Lawrence Central School District and Massena Central School District. 

To move forward with those projects, Boralex entered into a Renewable Energy Standard Agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for those two projects, with contracts subsequently awarded as part of NYSERDA's 2024 Renewable Energy Standard Competitive Solicitation for the purchase of New York Tier-1 Eligible Renewable Energy Certificates, RECs.

The move to create clean energy in New York State as part of Governor Kathy Hochul's zero emission policy is one that has been criticized in recent years by many in the region. 

Dozens of solar arrays have been built throughout St. Lawrence County, with a number still planned in and around the Canton area. 

Hochul said she executed 26 contacts to complete arrays that would provide more than 2.5 gigawatts in clean energy. 

State officials say that's enough power for 670,000 homes throughout the state. 

Employment figures have also been a topic of conversation, with many pointing to a number of construction jobs created with the projects. 

Officials said 1,900 near-term jobs would be created through more than $6 billion in investment for the 26 projects approved by the state, however the number of full-time permanent jobs created once the arrays are erected has been debated. In some cases, only a few jobs are created for maintenance positions. 

County lawmakers were also critical of possible legislation that could see solar projects placed on state land managed by the DEC for reforestation efforts. 

Legislators largely oppose the bill, saying the idea of cutting down trees to make way for renewable energy projects is hypocritical to say the least. 

For electronic access to the hearing, visit https://meetny-gov.webex.com/. 

The event number is 2831 445 3019 and the password is Apr29-1pm.

For phone-only access call 929-251-9612. 

The access code is 2831 445 3019.

The password is 27729017