About the Project

Project History

Project begins -

2015 --- 2017
- Invenergy begins review process for environmental impacts met with stakeholders to begin the necessary studies for proper permitting mandated by Article 10 regulations.
- Establishment of the project website maintained by the NYS Department of Public Service. It can be found here.

July 2017 --- Two open house events at the Centerville Town Hall hosted by Invenergy. Over 150 interested community members attended between the two events.
January 2018 --- Community office opened in Arcade, NY.
May 2018 --- Project execution of REC contract with NYSERDA.
January 2019
- Article 10 application submitted for review. Copies of application can be found at local libraries and town halls within the project. It can also be found here on the site website and at the NY Public Service Commission's website.
- Informational open houses on the 30th and 31st hosted by New York development team for Alle-Catt Project.

March 2019 --- Alle-Catt's 1st supplement to the Article 10 application, responding to comments and feedback. The supplement was posted to the DMM and this website on March 15, 2019.
May 2019 --- Project information session with more than 100 community members at the Tri-County Showcase in Arcade.

Economic Benefits

In the first 20 years of project operation, the Alle-Catt Wind Farm is projected to pay millions of dollars in property taxes, lease payments to landowners, salaries to employees, and payments for local goods and services, resulting in a significant increase in economic activity in the areas surrounding Allegany, Cattaraugus and Wyoming Counties. Benefits to schools and town and county governments will be realized from annual payments made under payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) and host community agreement payments.

$454,530,000 capital investment

$3,200,000 property taxes
annually

$2,700,000 landowner payments
annually

Why New York?

New York has set ambitious targets to generate up to 50% of its electricity from renewable sources and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. New York is starting with a significant base of renewable energy generation. Using sources such as hydropower, solar, and wind, New York percentage of renewable energy generation was 20% in 2010 and 22% in 2013. To reach 50%, New York plans to encourage installation of more wind, solar, and renewable generation and improved efficiency to reduce electricity consumption.

As of March 2017, over 1,800 MW of wind energy was operating in New York, generating enough electrictity to power over 600,000 New York households. This generation offsets the need to import or burn other fuels, helping to reduce fuel prices and air emissions.

Wind energy and other renewable energy projects generate substantial economic benefits for New York. A 2013 study by the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) found that between 2005 and 2012, wind energy projects paid over $800 million dollars to New York businesses, landowners, and municipalities.

Wind Benefits in New York

Total Investment: Wind developers like Invenergy have invested over $3.7 billion in New York
Annual Landowner Payments: Every year, wind farms in New York pay landowners $5 to 10 million
Wind Industry Employment: The wind industry employs between 1,000 and 2,000 people in New York
Wind Manufacturing Facilities: 9 facilities in New York produce electrical components utilized by the wind industry

Why Allegany, Cattaraugus & Wyoming Counties?

The Alle-Catt Wind Farm is an unparalleled development opportunity for the host towns, with millions to be invested in the local economy over the life of the project. After careful evaluation, we selected this area for the project because of:

A verified, strong wind resource;
Existing transmission lines, minimizing the need for new infrastructure;
Landowner interest and community support;

We take our commitment to our local host communities seriously and look forward to continuing to work closely with the host towns and counties, contributing to the area's economic development, and providing an additional supply of clean, homegrown energy in New York.

Environmental
Benefits

Environmental Benefits

To avoid and minimize impacts to wildlife and other natural resources, we work with state and federal agencies and other interested stakeholders to site, build, and operate our facilities responsibly. The cornerstone of that effort is our commitment to act in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Land-based Wind Energy Guidelines. These include robust pre-construction wildlife and habitat surveys, early and frequent communication with wildlife agencies, and operational monitoring to ensure the minimization of the risk to wildlife.

Impact on
Roads

Impact on County Roads

Local roads and infrastructure will be left in the same or better condition than they were prior to their use for the construction or on-going maintenance and repair of the wind project. Invenergy will enter into road agreements with the host town and county to put this commitment in writing.

Land

Wind turbines and access roads have a very small footprint. After construction is completed, landowners can use approximately 98-99% of their land for its previous purpose, whether it be for agriculture, hunting, or timber.