Atlas Renewables is seeking to construct a photo voltaic farm within the City of Kirkland, not removed from Sherill Brook Park in New Hartford. Their mission is to construct a comparatively small photo voltaic farm with a venture consisting of Kirkland 1 a 5 megawatt energy plant and Kirkland 2 a 4.6 megawatt plant. The venture drew opposition from a number of smaller organizations together with Kirkland Trails. A non-for-profit group with the aim of creating leisure channels. Dr. James Bramley is the President of Kirkland Trails.
“I’m a robust believer in renewable vitality. I’m an environmentalist, and I believe that that’s the future, nevertheless it should be used responsibly, they should be positioned in the correct locations, and I believe that locations exist although. inside Oneida County, however that is in all probability one of many worst locations to place a photo voltaic venture for my part.”
Whereas the group admits they need to create trails by means of the property, the most important concern is the atmosphere. Hickory Creek Consulting was commissioned to do the environmental impression research of the proposed venture, which incorporates the clearing of 65 hectares of forest. The research concluded that there are potential flooding points downstream the place flooding points exist already.
“The actual flooding impact wasn’t felt within the metropolis of Kirkland. It was within the Metropolis of New Hartford and Whitestown, which might be one cause why we really feel prefer it by no means bought loads of consideration … as a result of it gained ‘no will actually have an effect on the residents of the Metropolis of Kirkland as a lot as the encircling cities.”
Since it is a small photo voltaic farm, the Metropolis of Kirkland has the authority to approve the method, however they might have hassle getting round a few of their very own guidelines. That is as a result of the Metropolis of Kirkland has a photo voltaic ordinance, and written into their very own native legislation is to contemplate these particular objectives.
“Logging. Elimination of present bushes bigger than 6 inches in diameter needs to be minimized as a lot as attainable. Nicely that is an outdated development forest, a mature forest with a lot of bushes that’s above 6 inches, they usually shall be minimize down each tree there.”
There’s a planning board assembly scheduled for January 23. As soon as the planning board finalizes a proposal there should be a public listening to. This can be the one time native voices are heard on this matter, which isn’t the case with many competing photo voltaic tasks.
