LIBERTY, NY — A public hearing regarding a moratorium on large solar projects in the Town of Liberty was held on August 15.

First to speak was Richard Chun, a representative of Delaware River Solar (DRS), who said the company is interested in pursuing two or possibly three solar installations in the town. He said a moratorium would shut down discussions between solar companies and elected officials about particular projects and prevent officials from learning more about specific projects.

He also said a moratorium is not necessary because the town board and the planning board already have the authority to say “no” to any project.

One issue that concerns officials in relation to solar projects is taxation. Towns may, if they choose, grant solar projects tax incentives, but then may enter into payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreements. Another concern is having a decommissioning agreement in place for when the solar project reaches the end of its life. (The actual timing is still not certain, because solar projects rated for a 20-year life are still running nearly as efficiently 30 years later.)

Chun said the town or planning board have the option of approving a project, with the provision that PILOT and decommissioning agreements are reached that are agreeable to both parties before the actual construction of a project begins.

Members of the board expressed concern that, because of limited grid capacity, DRS projects could block, for instance, a local farmer with 100 acres from setting up his own solar installation.

At a meeting in Monticello on August 3, NYSEG representative Ray Kinney said grid space is allotted to solar projects that start the application process on a first-come, first-served basis, and that NYSEG ensures enough space is set aside for homeowners to be able to install smaller systems in their own homes. But other small projects may be shut out, at least temporarily, as has occurred for one business in the Town of Bethel.

Dentist and property owner Jon Sutherland also spoke against the moratorium in Liberty. He is working on a project with DRS in which panels would be installed on property he owns, which he said is secluded and no one would see.

But the town board clearly still has reservations. Supervisor Charlie Barbuti said that since the solar rush began in Sullivan County about a year ago, “we have had nothing but questions, and we don’t have answers.” He also expressed frustration with dealing with officials in Albany. He said, “There’s a real problem with the State of New York, because they seem to be so pro to have this happen that anybody who questions them is somehow some sort of a weirdo.”

The board did not vote on whether to adopt a moratorium.