BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON - State officials have issued a final siting permit for a solar project slated to be built on Rich Road in the Town of Canton.

The Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) issued the permit to Rich Road Solar Energy Center, LLC today, Sept. 24.

“After 3 years of effort to get to this point, it's an exciting day to have achieved the final siting permit for the project,” said EDF Renewables’ Project Developer Jonathan Geldard.

Officials say the 240-megawatt project will produce enough power for 61,000 average-size homes, according to the permit approval.

As part of the project, a 20-megawatt battery energy storage facility will also be located at the site, despite public opposition from residents and town officials alike.

EDF Renewables is expected to begin the construction phase of the solar project in 2 025 with completion in 2027.

“We are excited and will continue to work alongside the Canton community to integrate the design. We are proud of our efforts and look forward to working with the local community as we move forward to the next phase,” stated Haylee Ferington, community relations manager for EDF Renewables.

 In the siting permit, state officials say ORES weighed many factors, including public health and safety, pertinent social, economic and environmental factors of the solar facility.

Officials say the facility complies with Article VIII and application provisions from ORES, substantive provision of applicable state laws and regulations, local laws and ordinances, while also minimizing or mitigating, "to the maximum extent practicable, potential significant adverse environmental impacts of the Facility."

Officials also say the project "achieves a net conservation benefit with respect to any impacted threatened or endangered species."

Any potential changes to the facility proposed by Rich Road Solar Energy Center, LLC will be subject to review by the office in compliance with Part 1100, state officials said.

The siting permit will automatically expire if the solar facility does not commence commerce operation within seven years from the date of issuance as well.

Projects of this size are controlled by the state and Canton Town code regulations are superseded.

Town solar attorney William M. Buchan acknowledged the final siting permit, adding that negotiations between EDF and the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) concerning a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) are ongoing.

"On September 24, 2024 the Office of Renewable Energy Siting ("ORES") issued a "Final Siting Permit" for the EDF Rich Road Energy Center LLC 240 MW solar energy generator and 20 MW Battery Energy Storage System that will be constructed in the Town of Canton," stated Buchan.

"The issuance of the permit is the culmination of a years long process administered by ORES. In reviewing the final permit we note that very little has changed since the draft permit was issued in March of 2024 and most of those changes were pursuant to a Stipulation between the applicant and ORES staff and not in response to concerns and comments raised by residents and advocates at the Public Heating held on May 7, 2024. After reviewing the comments offered at the Public Hearing, ORES' Administrative Law Judges determined that no substantive and significant issues were raised," he continued.

"The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency is in discussions with EDF concerning a Payment in Lieu of Taxes ("PILOT") agreement that would generate financial benefits to the Town of Canton, the Canton Central School District and St. Lawrence County. Neither the terms of a PILOT agreement or a Host Community Benefit Agreement or Road Use Agreement have been finalized and discussions are ongoing," Buchan noted.