TOWN OF WILNA, New York (WWNY) – A solar project in the towns of Wilna and Croghan is bringing typical controversy over battery fires and what panels could do to a naturally beautiful area. But could utility bill credits make residents more receptive?
The Sugar Maple Solar project will span more than 600 acres of what is now corn fields in both Lewis and Jefferson counties.
“It’s going to encompass properties in both Lewis and Jefferson Counties, primarily the town of Croghan and the Town of Wilna,” said Peter Crump, Wilna town supervisor.
Crump described the solar project as state-driven. Its size will require the company behind it, AES Solar, to give residents in the towns bill credits over the next 10 years, totaling $625,000.
While utility bill credits could sweeten some residents’ views on the solar farm, others are not bought in.
Former Wilna town supervisor Paul Smith lives directly across from where solar panels will be built. As a supervisor, he was concerned about losing the natural landscape. As a resident, he still feels that way.
“I was in a position where now that it was going to be in my front yard, and me being the town supervisor at that given time, I was a little bit of a conflict of interest,” Smith said.
“My feelings is that I wish that they would put it somewhere else,” Smith said. “Me being here for 45 years and it’s been beautiful out here and everything else. Now my lifestyle and everything else is going to end up changing because they’re going to end up using just about all the acreage across the road from my house for solar panels.”
Crump said he is concerned about the battery storage facility that will be in the town of Wilna and wants the company building the project to offer funding to local fire departments.
“I would want to see that there would be some cooperation from the developer in providing possible finance to bring our fire service up to a level that is going to be able to maintain that possible entity,” Crump said.
In a statement, AES said it is excited to move forward and the project will deliver $10 million in tax revenue and other economic benefits, including the money for bill credits given to town residents. The project should be up and running by the end of 2029.
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