Green IDA and CornerStone partner on solar farm

The Green County Industrial Development Agency and CornerStone Power Development will develop a minimum 15 MW and potential 20 MW solar generation facility. The site will be located on 128 acres adjacent to the CSX rail line and the Central Hudson transmission power line along Farm to Market Rd. Project planning, reviews and permitting have begun with construction targeted for 2011 resulting in the facility coming on line in early 2012. The project is consistent with evolving power generation models that target renewable power generated close to high electricity demand areas and at a scale that does not require new transmission line infrastructure. It is consistent with NYS' Renewable Portfolio Standard that requires electric utilities to continue their supply of renewable power. Distributed generations as proposed in this project is an excellent example of a practical application of what is commonly called "Smart Grid." The local benefit provided from this project is enhanced by the generation of $2.6 million of additional local tax payments over the next 25 years. This parcel, at its current level, is anticipated to generate only $45,000 over the same 25 years. The difference in local tax payments is an increase of over 5,000%. This significant increase in tax revenue is achieved with minimal demand for local community services or new classrooms.