Governor Hochul announces approval of state’s largest solar facility

ALBANY, N.Y. (WHEC) – Governor Kathy Hochul announced Monday that the New York State Office of Renewable Energy issued a permit to Hecate Energy Cider Solar to develop and maintain a 500-megawatt solar facility in the Towns of Oakfield and Elba in Genesee County.

"Today’s announcement is a significant step in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and further cements New York as a national leader in the fight to combat climate change," Governor Hochul said. "This project brings New York closer to not just meeting but exceeding our goal of obtaining 70 percent of our electricity from renewable resources while creating well-paying green jobs – creating a greener, more prosperous Empire State for generations to come."

This solar facility is vital to meeting carbon reduction and clean energy targets to combat climate change. Once it’s completed, the facility should generate enough clean energy to power more than 125,000 New York homes, which will result in a reduction of about 462,000 tons of CO2 every year.