Governor Kathy Hochul announced the approval of New York’s 25th large-scale renewable energy project in four years, marking a significant step toward the state’s clean energy goals. The latest project, a 135-megawatt (MW) solar array in Livingston County, is expected to power more than 18,000 homes and support 150 local construction jobs.
The White Creek Solar project, located in the towns of York and Leicester, received its final siting permit from the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES). Since its creation in 2021, ORES has approved 20 clean energy projects aimed at expediting the state’s transition to renewable power.
“The White Creek solar array in Western New York exemplifies New York State’s progress toward creating a clean energy economy,” Hochul said in a statement. “With refined siting protocols through the establishment of ORES four years ago, New York is expediting permitting for clean energy projects to achieve a clean energy economy while creating good-paying jobs that benefit communities throughout the state.”
The facility will include a solar array, an interconnection substation, fencing, access roads, and an operations and maintenance building. It will connect to the state’s power grid through a new interconnection point on a Rochester Gas & Electric transmission line.
State officials say the project will provide long-term economic benefits to the host communities without significantly increasing costs for local authorities, school districts, or emergency services. Additional benefits include road improvements, increased tax revenue for public services and infrastructure, and host community agreements with York and Leicester.
“With the issuance of the siting permit for White Creek Solar, ORES continues to advance New York’s nation-leading clean energy policies while being responsive to community feedback and protecting the environment,” ORES Executive Director Zeryai Hagos said.
White Creek Solar’s approval comes amid New York’s push to expand its clean energy pipeline, which now totals 3.6 gigawatts of new solar and wind power. The project also aligns with the state’s broader efforts to streamline the permitting process for renewable energy, ensuring that projects move forward efficiently while meeting regulatory and environmental standards.
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