FAQs about the Trelina Solar Energy Center
Q: What is the Trelina Solar Energy Center?
A: Located on private land in the Town of Waterloo in Seneca County, N.Y., the Trelina Solar Energy Center is a proposed 80-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy generating facility.
The Town of Waterloo possesses the critical elements required for a strong solar project, including a strong solar resource, existing road infrastructure, access to transmission infrastructure, and available land in an area well-suited environmentally to host such a project.
The Trelina Solar Energy Center is proposed by NextEra Energy, Inc., the world’s largest generator of energy from the wind and sun.
Q: When will the project be complete?
A: The Trelina Solar Energy Center is expected to begin commercial operation in 2022.
Q: How much energy will the Trelina Solar Energy Center generate?
A: The Trelina Solar Energy Center will generate 80 megawatts of solar energy and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 80,000 tons every year. This is the equivalent of taking more than 16,000 cars off the road. Furthermore, the 80-megawatt solar facility will produce electricity without creating air or water pollution and without the use of water for generation.
Q: How will the local community benefit from this project?
A: The Trelina Solar Energy Center has the potential to deliver new jobs, long-term property tax revenue, and economic development to Seneca County and the Town of Waterloo.
Q: What specific benefits will the project bring?
A: The project is expected to bring numerous benefits to the region through a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement, which will provide revenue to the county, town and school district to invest in infrastructure, additional services, and resources for residents.
The project will create two full-time positions and 100 to 150 jobs during construction. There will be opportunities for local businesses to supply materials to support construction of the project, and service industry businesses such as hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues will benefit from an increase in worker activity throughout construction.
The Trelina Solar Energy Center’s goal is to hire as many workers as possible from the local area. The project will invest up to $10 million in construction labor, creating employment opportunities for those in the construction trades, including equipment operators, truck drivers, laborers, and electricians.
Q: Why Waterloo, N.Y.?
A: The Town of Waterloo possesses the critical elements required for a strong solar project, including a strong solar resource, existing road infrastructure, access to transmission infrastructure, and available land in an area well-suited environmentally to host such a project.
Q: What is NextEra Energy Resources?
A: NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (together with its affiliated entities, “NextEra Energy Resources”), is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with approximately 21,000 megawatts of net generating capacity, primarily in 36 states and Canada as of year-end 2018. NextEra Energy Resources, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. The business operates clean, emissions-free nuclear power generation facilities in New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra Energy nuclear fleet, which is one of the largest in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
Q: How is the project being approved?
A: The permitting and approval of the Trelina Solar Energy Center will be conducted in accordance with New York State’s Article 10 law. This thorough process encourages local input and mandates rigorous study of the project. Through Article 10, Trelina Solar will seek input from community stakeholders and will work to minimize potential impacts to the maximum extent practicable.
Additional information on Article 10 of the Public Service Law can be found at the following links:
Q: How does a solar project impact agricultural land?
A: Through land agreements, the Trelina Solar Energy Center will support the agricultural economy by infusing revenue into local farms and diversifying income.
For a variety of reasons, the project is not expected to adversely impact the long-term character of the farmland or the productivity of the soil.
These reasons include:
- Solar projects can be designed to minimize the amount of grading that’s required, which serves to minimize disruption to valuable topsoil resources. Where grading is needed, care is taken to preserve the topsoil in accordance with all applicable state guidelines.
- Photovoltaic projects do not utilize hazardous materials during operations and have a very benign impact on the underlying land.
- When a solar project is decommissioned and removed, there is every reason to believe the underlying land can be returned to agricultural use.
- Solar projects have absolutely no impact on surrounding landowners who wish to continue their farming practices.
Generally, land utilized by the Trelina Solar Energy Center will not be used for crop production while the project is operational.
Responses to Questions Received Following the Trelina Solar Energy Center’s June 02, 2020 Mailer
Q: Your materials made mention of “Land Agreements” with local farmers. Will you be purchasing any property for this project or is the “Land Agreement” the only method you will be using to occupy property?
A: The land for the Trelina Solar Energy Center (the “project”) will be located on property leased or purchased from private landowners. Through these land agreements, the project will support the local agricultural economy by infusing revenue into local farms and diversifying their income.
Q: Will the tax assessments on the properties you have “Land Agreements” with experience any change based on your occupancy of the land?
A: Any changes in tax liabilities, including for the assessments related to the land utilized by the project, will be the responsibility of the project owner.
Q: How will the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement be structured, how many payments over 30 years will there be, and how much will they be?
A: The Trelina Solar Energy Center (the “project”) intends to discuss a potential PILOT agreement with the local jurisdictions, including the Town of Waterloo, and the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency.
Q: You mention the PILOT revenue will be used for investing in infrastructure and additional services and resources for residents, but will any of the PILOT revenue be used to reduce our property taxes?
A: Revenue attributable to the Trelina Solar Energy Center may be used as local municipalities see fit. Local officials will determine how to best manage and utilize revenue derived from the project.