It was unfortunate to hear the comments made at the ORES public comment meeting on June 11 opposing the Somerset Solar Project. Although I am not a resident of Somerset, I am a grandmother concerned about the future for my grandchildren and those that come after them, and my faith compels me to be a good steward of the earth. I fully believe in shared responsibility, and that everyone must play a part in addressing the global climate crisis, even those of us who have not been as severely affected as other areas of the world yet.
I understand the anxiety and concern residents may have about solar energy. The fossil fuel industry has spent trillions protecting their monopolies through lies, denials, and political lobbying efforts to preserve their profits at the expense of every living being on this earth.
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some of the misinformation and confusion that has been spoken and written about the Somerset Solar Project.
Use of the land from the former power plant
AES has worked with the owners and has maximized that area at this point. The only other potential area at that location was used to build a data center.
About the landfill area and unused parking lots, AES has been in discussion already to potentially transform that area to support a Rails to Trails expansion. This would be a wonderful benefit to residents, and also a potential boon to the local economy as people using the trail system often stop in towns along the way, visiting local shops and businesses.
The landfill area would require extensive remediation in order to build on top of it and the ground is extremely unstable.
Preservation of farmland
We can all agree that supporting local farms is imperative now and into the future. This cannot be secured by doing business as usual. Farming is a difficult and unreliable livelihood. Farmers in our area have already experienced the impact of climate change on their livelihood. The current heat wave will cause stress to crops and animals alike. These occurrences will only continue to stress an already volatile industry. We need to ensure that farmers are able to continue to produce the food we rely on every day.
AES is not purchasing the land, it is leasing land. The annual lease payments will provide a steady, reliable income for the landowners, so they can remain on their land.
Co-locating solar farms with traditional farming practices ensures a continued production of food and energy at the same time. Studies have shown that by the end of the lease term, soil health has actually improved.
Studies have also shown that crops actually grow better when planted under the panels. Panels provide shade during the hottest part of the day and protect the plants from heavy rainfall and soil erosion.
The use of livestock, such as sheep, to graze in the project area keeps vegetation in check, eliminating the need for fossil-powered equipment and chemicals. They also benefit the health of the soil as they move around the area. The hooves churn and turn over the soil, and their droppings provide rich, natural fertilizer to the land.
Of the nearly 1,800 acres of the project parcels, only 700 acres are being actively farmed, and of that only 372 are considered prime farmland. This land is currently being used to grown corn. I do not know if it’s for production of ethanol, feedstock or human consumption. If it is used for ethanol production, this is a poor use of land for energy production. One acre of Solar PV produces 50% to 200% more clean energy than one acre of corn ethanol production, without the use of pesticides.
Quick fact: Corn currently grown to produce ethanol covers roughly 250,000 acres of farmland in New York state. Imagine how much energy could be produced by replacing corn for ethanol with co-located traditional farming and solar PV!
AES is working with the landowner to improve other agricultural land that is being used by the farmer, to improve production and reduce the impact on farmland in the community.
Decommissioning
Decommissioning at the end of the lease is the responsibility of the developer. Concerns about abandonment of the infrastructure are not warranted. The developer will be providing a bond to cover the costs of decommissioning that will be held by the town, ensuring that if AES does not attend to the decommissioning, the town has the funds to pay for it through another entity. This bond will be escalated to account for any rising costs throughout the lease term.
What’s in it for the town and residents of Somerset?
— Well-paying jobs: approximately 200 temporary construction jobs and four permanent jobs. Local residents will take precedence in filling these positions. Construction workers will patronize local businesses, boosting economic activity in Somerset.
— Millions of dollars: Annual payments will be made to the town, school and fire district, providing the opportunity to enhance services to the community, educational benefits to children and peace of mind knowing that emergency response services will have all the tools necessary to keep them safe.
— During the first 10 years, every utility customer in Somerset will receive annual utility bill credits of approximately $55 per household.
— AES is already committed to being a supportive participant in the Somerset community. It has donated over $140,000 to date to support local entities including Barker Central School, Albion Elementary School, Genesee Community College, Somerset Union Museum, Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, Barre Betterment Community, and the Niagara County joint apprenticeship and training committee.
— Pride in knowing they are actively participating in a livable future for generations to come.