About The Project
Project History
Events & Updates
June 2024
- Alle-Catt Wind announced plan to commence construction of the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) building and related site improvements in July 2024. More information about the construction can be found here.
December 2023
- New York’s Public Service Commission approved Alle-Catt’s Article VII certificate for the project’s transmission line.
November 2023
- Alle-Catt Wind received its Article 10 amendment certificate from the New York Department of Public Service.
- We hosted a landowner dinner at the VFW Post 374 where we shared project updates.
January 2023
- Invenergy submitted a petition for amendment to the Article 10 Certificate to the New York Department of Public Service.
- The Section 404 Wetland Permit application was submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
March 2022
- The Article VII application was deemed complete by the New York Department of Public Services.
December 2021
- Invenergy opened a local Orchard Park Office, allowing the Alle-Catt team to work alongside the local community.
September 2021
- We hosted a great landowner dinner at the Turkey Run Golf Course and enjoyed spending time with key project stakeholders.
June 2020
- Alle-Catt Wind received its construction certificate with unanimous approval from the Siting Board members. That concludes the Article 10 review process, although many more months of Compliance Filings have to be worked through and filed before construction can begin.
March 2020
- Invenergy hosted a networking event with the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. This was a great opportunity to bring chamber members together and meet local community members.
May 2019
- The New York team tabled for the Alle-Catt wind project at the Tri-County Showcase in Arcade to share information about the project with locals. Having spoken with nearly 100 people, we were pleased with the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the project.
March 2019
- Alle-Catt's 1st supplement to the Article 10 application was mailed and posted to the DMM and this website on March 15, 2019, responding to comments and feedback on the original Article 10 application.
January 2019
- The New York State Article 10 application for was submitted review. Copies of this application can be found at local libraries and town halls within the project as well as here on our website and at the NY Public Service Commission's website.
- The Invenergy New York development team hosted open houses on the 30th & 31st. Thanks to everyone who braved the cold to come out and learn about our Alle-Catt project.
December 2018
- Invenergy hosted a Holiday Dinner at the Arcade VFW for landowners and project supporters.
August 2018
- The Invenergy New York development team hosted the Alle-Catt project supporters and lease-holder, dinner at the Arcade VFW.
July 2018
- We were happy to host a landowner dinner to bring out our wonderful local supporters and provide updates about the project's progress
May 2018
- The Invenergy New York team is excited to announce that as of May 2018 the Alle-Catt project executed a REC contract with NYSERDA. This is a major milestone for the project and a huge step for the project towards completion.
January 2018
- Invenergy rented storefront space in Arcade, NY and opened a local office shortly after. Since then the office has served the local communities of the Alle-Catt
- Invenergy opened its regional office in central New York, where its New York development team is based out of. This permanent office location serves as 'home base' for Valessa and the other developers collaborating on the Alle-Catt project.
July 2017
- On the 17th & 18th, the Invenergy New York development team held an open house at the Centerville Town Hall. Two 6'x7' maps were present displaying the project area and eight employees were present at the event. We were happy to meet with almost 100 interested community members at the first event and 58 at the second.
May 2017
- Invenergy began the comprehensive review process mandated by New York's Article 10 regulations. We have met with a wide range of stakeholders and have begun the studies required to assess potential environmental impacts.
- The New York development team continues to discuss the project with stakeholders and landowners interested in participating in the Project, to refine our understanding of the area's wind resource, to evaluate the best wind turbines for the project, and to develop the project layout. The project's website maintained by the NYS Department of Public Service can be found here.
June 2015
- Invenergy began development of the Alle-Catt Wind Farm in 2015 and has been working diligently to obtain necessary permits and agreements to support a 2020 construction start.
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.
Why New York?
New York State has set ambitious targets to generate up to 70% 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. Sources such as hydropower, solar, and wind generated approximately 30% of New York’s electricity in 2022. To reach 70%, New York is committed to installing more wind, solar, and renewable generation and improving efficiency to reduce electricity consumption. We are committed to helping New York reach these goals.
As of 2022, over 2,400 MW of wind energy was operating in New York, generating enough electricity to power over 800,000 New York households. This generation offsets the need to import or burn other fuels, helping to reduce fuel prices and carbon emissions entering the air.
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: As of 2022, the wind industry employs over 4,000 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
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 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.