By Doug La Rocque
Solar Energy may not only light up homes and businesses, it continues to light up some controversy in Brunswick. Town officials are concerned about the number of solar farms either constructed, waiting to be built, or in the approval process for several reasons. These include visibility, proximity to residential neighborhoods, eventual decommissioning costs, and loss of tax revenue. It is enough of a concern that the Town has proposed a one-year moratorium on all solar construction and applications until the issue can be further studied.
At a recent public hearing held by the Town Board, there were comments, both pro and con. On the con side were two commercial solar firms, CVE North America and Atlas Solar. Atlas recently had their North Troy site off Oakwood Avenue approved but not yet constructed. CVE North America has a site on Belair Lane under construction and has proposed a 7 megawatt facility on McChesney Avenue Extension. CVE North America’s contention is a moratorium is not needed because the Town already has the structure in place to regulate solar construction. They mentioned their current project is the last one accepted in the qeue by National Grid, and that transmission capacity in Brunswick is maxed out.
Moratorium Moves Forward
Having cleared the required public hearing, the local law that would place the moratorium on solar projects jumped another hurdle this week when the Rensselaer County Office of Economic Development and Planning sent Brunswick a letter saying local jurisdiction shall prevail, meaning simply the County will not oppose the moratorium. This moratorium, if approved, would apparently put a stop to all construction and Planning Board consideration of applications before it until such a moratorium is lifted. That particular clause is still undergoing legal review.
All this discussion took place at the Thursday, November 17 Planning Board meeting, when CVE North America was discussing the McChesney Avenue Extension project. One of the questions put forth by Board Chair Russ Oster was who benefits from this solar energy and its 10% electrical rate reductions? He asked CVE North America if a commercial solar farm in Brunswick provides rate reductions for people in say, Plattsburgh. The answer was yes, but CVE North America said they would be willing to limit the scope of benefits from this project to Rensselaer and adjoining counties. They also pledged not to seek further sales and mortgage tax credits.
Other Board Action
The Planners continued to review a three-lot subdivision by Sagebrook Associates at 48 Spring Landing Boulevard. County approval and storm water issues still need to be worked out before the Planners can vote on potential approval. Board members are also taking a final look at the Town’s proposed code changes concerning two-family and multi-family housing before making a recommendation to the Town Board.