Heritage Wind submits application to state for 33 turbines in Barre
Press Release, Apex Clean Energy (Heritage Wind)
BARRE– After an extensive period of public outreach and engagement, project engineering, and numerous studies, Apex Clean Energy’s Heritage Wind project filed its Article 10 permit application with the New York State Board on Electric Generating Siting and the Environment.
The first project to file an Article 10 application this year, Heritage Wind would consist of 33 wind turbines located within the Town of Barre in Orleans County. (Click here to see the layout for the proposed turbines in the town.)
If approved and built, the 184.8 megawatt project would connect to the New York State electrical grid via an interconnection substation that would be constructed within the town along the existing National Grid Lockport-to-Mortimer 115 kV power line.
“We are excited to be formally submitting our application, bringing Heritage Wind one step closer to becoming a reality and helping New York reach its clean energy goals,” said Karlis Povisils, senior vice president of development with Apex Clean Energy. “We have worked closely with community members and stakeholders for several years to bring this major economic development opportunity to Orleans County and look forward to a long-term partnership with the local community for years to come.”
Heritage Wind was awarded a 20-year contract for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in the New York State Energy & Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) 2018 REC Solicitation and is currently working to secure buyers for the energy generated by the project.
In addition to generating enough clean, homegrown New York energy to power over 45,000 homes, Heritage Wind would create millions of dollars in economic activity for the Town of Barre and Orleans County, including an estimated $50 million in Host Community and PILOT Agreement payments to the town, county, and local school districts. The project would also support over 100 construction jobs and 12 local full-time jobs once the project is operational.
“Heritage Wind is one of the biggest economic development projects to come to Orleans County in memory,” said Larry Gaylard, a lifelong Barre resident and former Barre Town councilman of 18 years. “If approved, the project would invest millions of dollars in our communities throughout the construction process and life of the project. Permanent clean energy jobs and payments to local governments will be a benefit for decades. Congratulations to Apex Clean Energy and the entire Heritage Wind team on this major project milestone.”
In addition to the construction investment and payments to local governments, area farmers and landowners stand to benefit from the project through landowner lease payments totaling $50 million over the life of the project.
“It has been a tough couple of years for farmers, causing many young people to move out of rural farming communities” said Kirk Mathes, a sixth-generation farmer in Barre who will host a turbine on his property if Heritage Wind is approved by the New York Siting Board. “The revenue provided by harvesting the wind will help stabilize farm incomes and allow family farms to continue on for generations to come.”
With the application formally submitted, Heritage Wind developers expect a response from the Siting Board in the next three to six months requesting additional information before the application is deemed complete. Once it is deemed complete, the Siting Board must decide on whether to approve the application within 12 months.
For more on the project, click here to be directed to the Heritage Wind website.
