The New York State Department of Public Service announced that the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) has approved final siting permits for three solar energy projects. These projects are expected to supply enough emissions-free electricity to power about 116,000 average-sized homes.
The three approved projects include Fort Covington Solar, a 250-megawatt (MW) solar array in Franklin County; Yellow Barn Solar, a 160-MW facility in Tompkins County; and North Seneca Solar, a 90-MW project in Seneca County. The projects are anticipated to generate economic benefits for local communities by creating jobs, investing in infrastructure, and increasing tax revenues for schools and other community priorities through various agreements.
“We are very pleased to announce the latest investments in solar technology,” said Department CEO Rory M. Christian. “These important project approvals demonstrate we are strengthening our commitment to improve grid reliability and build clean energy. These three projects join the more than 30 projects that New York has approved over the last few years. This is a testament to New York’s commitment to sustainability, affordability, and resiliency.”
Combined, the Fort Covington, Yellow Barn, and North Seneca facilities will contribute 500 MW of renewable energy to New York’s electric grid while offsetting nearly 425,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions.
According to developers:
– Fort Covington Solar will provide $1.25 million in electric utility bill credits over ten years to town residents as well as fund improvements for the local fire department and park.
– Yellow Barn Solar will offer $80,000 annually in utility bill credits to Groton and Lansing.
– North Seneca Solar is expected to pay about $23 million in wages during construction and provide tax payments totaling millions of dollars to Junius and Waterloo towns and the Waterloo Central School District over 25 years.
The three projects are projected to create nearly 600 peak jobs during construction. Since 2021, New York State has approved 31 large-scale wind and solar initiatives—27 by ORES and four under Article 10 of state law—which together represent an addition of about 4.2 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.
Each new facility will feature a solar array with associated equipment such as substations, fencing, access roads, plus an operations building. Fort Covington Solar will connect via a New York Power Authority line; Yellow Barn Solar via a New York State Electric & Gas Company transmission line; North Seneca Solar through National Grid infrastructure.
Project approvals were granted within statutory timelines after review processes involving public comment periods and hearings.
“New York has now permitted more than 4 gigawatts of clean, renewable energy since 2021, a monumental achievement. ORES will continue to address New York’s growing needs for new, clean energy and a modernized grid, while being responsive to community feedback and protecting the environment,” said ORES Executive Director Zeryai Hagos.
ORES stated that its permitting decisions followed detailed reviews with strong public participation to ensure compliance with Article VIII of Public Service Law regulations. Applications for all three projects were completed between October 2024 and February 2025; draft permits were issued soon after each was deemed complete.
New York’s climate agenda aims for an affordable transition toward an emissions-free economy by mid-century while creating jobs through green investments. The agenda also targets directing at least one-third of benefits from these efforts toward disadvantaged communities.
For more information on today’s decisions or specific case numbers regarding these projects—Fort Covington (23-02990), Yellow Barn (23-02986), or North Seneca (23-02974)—the Department’s documents can be accessed at www.dps.ny.gov.
