Proposed Somerset solar project takes out too much farmland

Editor:

The New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) recently approved application for 125 MW Somerset Solar project that is notably deficient.

No consideration is given to installation of solar panels on the numerous acres of closed landfill on the North side of NYS Route 18 on the site of the now shuttered Coal Fired Somerset Power Station.

New York State policy encourages the use of closed landfills and brownfields for the purpose of solar power generation. There is no reason Somerset Solar should be exempt from this policy. A number of closed landfills in New York State are being used for solar power generation.

Somerset Solar should not be an exception. Further, all solar development should take place north of New York State Route 18  and remain within the footprint of the now shuttered Power Station. This will reduce the use of farmland for the project and preserve the existing buffer zone around the site.

The Somerset Comprehensive Plan dating back to 1972 has as a goal  “Preservation of the Rural Character of our Community.” Restricting Somerset Solar in this manner is consistent with this goal.

247 acres of prime farmland will be taken out of agricultural use for the Somerset Solar Project. It stretches the imagination to believe these acres will ever be returned to agricultural production with the hundreds of support pilings, the  five miles of crushed stone access roads and cable trenches proposed for the project. In practical terms, farmland tainted by solar power generation will never be returned to agricultural use. Claims to the contrary are unfounded and ignore the facts.

The 2022 Agricultural Census of Niagara County Indicates the average yearly value of all agricultural products sold in the County to be $1,291 per acre. The proposed  Somerset project will remove from active agriculture 247 acres. This results in a loss of $318,891 per year in Somerset agricultural production. Over the projected life of 35 years the estimated total loss in agricultural production in Somerset will exceed $11 million. Farmland should not be used for solar projects. Secured landfills, roof tops, abandoned shopping center parking lots and brownfields are more environmentally acceptable sites. ORES has been made aware of these matters and a response is overdue.

James C. Hoffman

Town of Somerset