The Town of New Paltz has recently circulated a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for a solar installation at the town’s closed landfill at Clearwater Road. The town is planning to lease space to a solar developer. The development would be limited to the closed landfill only, in contrast to the 2019 proposal which included additional land at Clearwater Road. Locating solar on the closed landfill takes advantage of municipally owned land that has limited other uses. The town would lease this space to a solar developer who would build, operate and own the solar equipment. Building a large-scale solar array at the landfill avoids use of prime agricultural land (which is often where large scale solar is proposed) and areas in the community that are more visible. Existing electrical lines with capacity to receive solar power are critical and are available near the Clearwater Road landfill location.
“A solar project at the landfill would be a win/win for New Paltz because it would generate lease revenue for the town and could be a source of clean power for residents as part of New Paltz’s Community Choice Aggregation program, providing clean energy to several hundred homes,” said Neil Bettez, New Paltz Town Supervisor.
Solar panels do not make noise, produce odors or release chemical discharges. The developer will be required to remove the panels at the end of the lease, and a bond will be required to ensure that this happens. It will be critical to use construction techniques that do not disturb the cap of the landfill – such practices are common. The town will require wildlife-friendly adjustments to fencing, use of pollinator friendly plants and other mitigation practices within the solar array.
Hurricanes, flooding, drought, and forest fires are happening with greater frequency because of climate change — these trends can only be slowed by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Using energy more efficiently and using renewable power such as solar are proven, clean and cost-effective ways of reducing fossil fuel use. New Paltz is seeking ways to help New York State meet its goal of 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030. Solar power is an important part of this initiative and New Paltz can contribute to this effort and benefit from clean, locally generated power.
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