April 3, 2026 Albany

DPS Announces Approval of Two Renewable Energy Projects

Agricola Wind and Flat Creek Solar Projects Will Bolster Local Economies and Provide Clean Energy to the Electric Grid Projects Expected to Create 210 Good-Paying Construction Jobs and Generate 399 MW of Clean, Renewable Energy for Nearly 55,000 Homes ALBANY — The New York State Department of Public Service (Department) today announced that the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) has issued final siting permits for two renewable energy projects. The Agricola Wind and Flat Creek Solar projects, located in Cayuga and Montgomery Counties, respectively. These projects will bring a combined 399 megawatts of clean renewable energy to New York's electric grid, powering the equivalent of nearly 55,000 average-sized homes, creating 210 good-paying construction jobs and offsetting approximately 350,000 tons of CO2 per year.

Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, “ These two permits demonstrate our continued commitment to building a cleaner, more affordable, and reliable electric grid for all New Yorkers. Renewable energy development creates good-paying jobs, strengthens local economies, and helps us deliver on our promise of a clean energy future.ORES Staff's rigorous, transparent review of these permitting decisions will ensure the responsible siting and construction of these facilities, while protecting the natural environment.”

The projects span two counties across New York State and will deliver clean, affordable energy to New York’s electric grid:

• Agricola Wind, located in the Towns of Scipio and Venice in Cayuga County, will contribute up to 99 MW; and
• Flat Creek Solar, located in the Towns of Canajoharie and Root in Montgomery County, will contribute up to 300 MW. Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission Executive Director Zeryai Hagos said, “ The permit applications for these projects were subject to robust review by ORES Staff, their host communities, the public, and other interested parties. These approvals demonstrate that New York has the tools and the commitment to advance clean energy development in a thorough, transparent, and environmentally responsible way. ORES is proud to play a central role in delivering on New York’s clean energy commitments while protecting the environment and supporting the economic vitality of the communities where these projects are located.”

These two new permits bring the total number of large-scale solar and wind projects permitted by ORES to 32, representing 4.8 gigawatts (GW) of clean, renewable energy. Together with the 18 projects previously approved by the NYS Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment under Article 10, the statute that governed solar and wind projects over 25 MW prior to the creation of ORES, New York State has now approved a total of 50 large-scale renewable energy projects, representing more than 7 GW of clean, renewable energy.

The projects were approved after a thorough, timely, and transparent review process that included public comment periods and hearings. Per Public Service Law Article VIII, all were permitted within the required one-year timeline. Both permits include enforceable conditions governing the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the facility, ensuring full site restoration at the end of the project’s operational life.

The Agricola Wind Project, developed by Liberty Renewables, is expected to be operational in 2028, and will consist of wind turbines and associated infrastructure, including access roads, underground collection lines, and substation improvements. Construction of the facility is expected to create approximately 89 full-time construction jobs, as well as two to three long-term operations and maintenance positions. Local contractors will also be engaged for ongoing services including road repair, snow removal, and vegetation management. To support construction activities and ongoing operations, the project will improve and repair local town, county, and state roads to maintain pre-construction conditions.

Agricola Wind is also expected to deliver a total of $63 million in local investments, including payments to the Towns of Scipio and Venice, Cayuga County, the Southern Cayuga County School District, local fire districts, and participating landowners. Approximately $400,000 is expected to be distributed across the towns annually through host community agreements. Under the Public Service Commission’s host community benefit program, Agricola Wind will also provide $990,000 in utility bill credits for residents of the towns over the first 10 years of operation.

The Flat Creek Solar Project, developed by Cordelio Power, will be located across approximately 1,000 acres in the Towns of Canajoharie and Root in Montgomery County. This project will create an estimated 121 full time construction jobs and will feature single-axis tracker photovoltaic (PV) solar panels enclosed within security fencing, access roads, inverters, buried collection lines, a collection substation, a generation tie line and point of interconnection (POI) switchyard. The Facility will interconnect to the existing New York Power Authority (NYPA) 345 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line #352 in the Town of Root.

Flat Creek Solar is expected to generate approximately $10 million in direct payments to the Towns of Canajoharie and Root over the first 20 years of operation, approximately $16.6 million in payments to the Canajoharie Central School District, and approximately $9.8 million in payments to Montgomery County. Additionally, Flat Creek Solar will provide $1.5 million in utility bill credits for residents of the towns over the first 10 years of operation, as required under the Public Service Commission's host community benefit program. Participating landowners will receive guaranteed lease payments that can help sustain and invest in continued agricultural use of remaining lands. The project is anticipated to begin operation in 2029.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Both of these projects are vital to advancing the delivery of clean, efficient, and affordable energy to New Yorkers. New York is accelerating the deployment and construction of diverse, reliable energy resources across the state that will not only help keep the lights on for New York families, but will also help stabilize energy prices.”

NYS Laborers’ LiUNA Director of Policy and Public Affairs Vincent Albanese said, “Today’s announcement is a win for both our clean energy future and New York’s working families. These large-scale solar and wind projects will put hundreds of skilled laborers to work, delivering good-paying, family-sustaining union jobs while building the infrastructure we need to power New York’s growing economy. The Laborers are proud to help lead this transition and ensure our energy infrastructure is built safely, efficiently, and with the highest standards of craftsmanship.”

Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York President Gary LaBarbera said, "The approval of these projects is another representation of the ways renewable energy development can create good-paying union careers with prevailing wage that bolster local economies and grow the middle class. Projects like these offer hard working people more opportunities to support their families and reinvest in their communities while also providing reliable energy to thousands of New Yorkers."

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said, "Today’s announcement marks another significant step toward ensuring energy reliability and moving us closer to achieving New York’s renewable energy goals. We look forward to continuing to work with the State to ensure these projects adhere to robust labor standards and protections, creating pathways to solid union careers as we continue to advance toward a clean and reliable energy future."

NRDC Managing Director, Power Division Kit Kennedy said, “With the approval of these clean energy projects, New York continues to demonstrate that a coordinated, predictable siting process can deliver tangible results. Streamlined permitting—done right—reduces delays, lowers costs for consumers, and can accelerate the deployment of the infrastructure needed to maintain reliability and meet climate goals. ORES is helping to show that states can improve the pace and scale of siting clean energy projects while upholding strong environmental and community standards.”

Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Marguerite Wells said, "It's more clear than ever that with global instability and high gas and oil prices, the path New York is on to have homegrown, affordable, renewable energy is the correct one. We thank Governor Hochul, the staff of DPS, ORES, and NYSERDA for keeping us on this path, the benefits of which we are just beginning to enjoy, but will be felt in the years and generations to come. This a win for New Yorkers."

New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “New York’s clean energy transition depends on more than ambitious goals, it depends on taking real action to deliver projects on the ground, and today’s ORES approvals for land-based wind and solar projects does exactly that. Together, these projects will add nearly 400 megawatts of new renewable capacity, helping to cut emissions, create good-paying jobs, and advance New York’s transition to a clean energy economy. We commend Governor Hochul and ORES for continuing to streamline responsible siting and advancing much-needed clean energy projects across the state.”

New Yorkers for Clean Power Campaign Director Betta Broad said, “As the Iran war causes a global energy crisis, reinforcing the need to transition from fossil fuels that subject consumers to volatile price spikes and pollution, it is heartening to see NYS make progress by permitting these renewable energy projects. New York must continue to work towards its climate targets, showing that with pragmatic leadership and innovation, we can make strategic investments in a better, more affordable, and forward-thinking energy system."

Today's decisions may be obtained by going to the Department's Documents section of the website at www.dps.ny.gov and entering the Case Numbers for each project in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number." Agricola Wind is 23-03002 and Flat Creek is 23-02992. Many libraries offer free Internet access. Department documents may also be obtained from the Department's Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

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