The New York State Department of Public Service has announced that the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) will conduct an in-person public comment hearing regarding a proposed solar facility in Washington County. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Durkeetown Church, located at 2 Durkeetown Road in Fort Edward.
Fort Edward Solar NY, LLC submitted its application for the 100-megawatt solar project to ORES on August 22, 2024. ORES issued a notice confirming the application was complete on May 27, 2025. Draft permit conditions were made available to the public on July 28, 2025. These documents and related information can be accessed through the Department’s website by selecting Project Permit Application Number 23-03023 (https://dps.ny.gov/ores-permit-applications).
All individuals and organizations potentially affected by the facility are invited to attend and provide comments during the hearing. According to officials, “Lengthy comments will not be accepted and instead should be submitted in writing. Equal weight will be given to both oral and written comments.” Administrative Law Judges may limit oral statements to three minutes per person to ensure everyone has a chance to speak. A transcript of all comments will become part of the official record.
The venue is accessible for people with mobility impairments. Those needing special accommodations are advised to contact the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Management Office at (518) 473-9463 as soon as possible. TDD users can request sign language interpretation via New York Relay Service at 711, while those needing language assistance may call (800) 342-3377.
If any changes occur regarding the time or format of the hearing—such as cancellation or a switch to a virtual event—updates will be posted on the ORES website (https://dps.ny.gov/ores).
Written comments about the application or draft permit must be filed with ORES by Friday, October 3, 2025, no later than 5:00 p.m. Written submissions are encouraged through the Department’s Document and Matter Management system by following instructions under Project Permit Application Number 23-03023 on their website (https://dps.ny.gov/ores). Comments can also be emailed to [email protected] or mailed directly to ORES at Empire State Plaza in Albany.
Officials noted that “Written comments will be considered equally with oral statements delivered at the public comment hearing,” provided they meet submission deadlines. All written remarks will be publicly posted online unless they contain prohibited material; duplicate or inappropriate content may not appear.
Copies of all relevant documents are available for inspection during business hours at ORES’s Albany office (W.A. Harriman Campus), as well as electronically through https://dps.ny.gov/ores-permitapplications under Project Permit Application Number 23-03023.
Additional physical copies can also be found at:
– Town of Fort Edward Municipal Office: 118 Broadway, Fort Edward
– Fort Edward Free Library: 22 East Street, Fort Edward
