Municipal Solar Project Continues Ulster County’s Commitment to Environmental Protection and Stewardship
Kingston, N.Y. – Today, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein visited the site of the former Town of Ulster landfill to oversee progress on Ulster County’s Utility-Scale Solar Project. The project, being completed in conjunction with Tesla’s SolarCity and the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency, is on schedule for commissioning by the end of March 2018. The 1.9 megawatt array will consist of 6,120 panels in total and is anticipated to produce nearly 3 million kwh of sustainable energy per year on average - avoiding the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to burning 2.4 million pounds of coal or over 5,000 barrels of oil.
“This solar project is yet another example of our deep focus on environmental protection and sustainability. With this initiative we are maximizing the utilization of a closed, former landfill with solar panels that save taxpayers money,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “Ulster County has become recognized nationally for our commitment to clean energy as well as ensuring clean air and clean water for countless generations to come - that is why we are excited that our two proposed solar projects at the RRA landfill site and SUNY Ulster are rapidly taking shape. This installation at the former RRA site will generate approximately 20% of all the electricity used by Ulster County Government alone. Not only is that good for the environment, it will reduce our expenses which is good news for property taxpayers. Using green power helps county government become more sustainable, while also serving as a great example for others across the country that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing impacts on our climate.”
“Our commitment to renewable energy has a real and positive impact on the environment,” said Amanda LaValle, Coordinator of the Ulster County Department of the Environment. “For 2017 alone, our renewable energy purchases means that over 13 thousand metric tons of greenhouse gas pollution was not emitted into the atmosphere, comparable to removing the emissions of over 2700 passenger cars from the atmosphere. As we move towards greater production of our own solar energy, through the installations at the Ulster Landfill and the SUNY Ulster Campus in Stone Ridge, we increase our reliance on locally generated renewable energy which only increases the environmental and economic benefits to our area.”
“Miller Bros is pleased to support Ulster County in its continuing effort as the first community in the State of New York to be designated a Clean Energy Community by NYSERA, recognizing County Executive Mike Hein’s leadership in reducing energy cutting costs, and driving clean energy in the community,” said Harry B. Miller, III, President of Miller Bros. “Embarking on this important utility-scale solar project is a highly-visible example of Ulster County’s commitment to the planet and the communities they serve.”
The site visit comes a week after Ulster County was recognized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation with an Environmental Excellence Award for its Net Carbon Neutral operations and commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition to this award, the DEC has also designated Ulster County as one of only three Bronze Climate Smart Community municipalities throughout the State, the highest designation achieved through this program. Ulster County received international recognition for its environmental efforts last year when it was featured in National Geographic Magazine.
Photo: Ulster County Executive Mike Hein tours the installation of a 1.9 megawatt solar array at the former RRA Landfill in the Town of Ulster along with representatives from Miller Bros. and Amanda LaValle, Coordinator of the Ulster County Department of the Environment.
