Farmingville, NY – On November 27, Councilwoman Jane Bonner was on hand to celebrate the ribbon cutting at Shoreham Solar Commons, a 24.9 MW AC facility located on the site of the former Tall Grass Golf Course. The new solar array is operated by Duke Energy Renewables, and the power sold to the Long Island Power Authority under a 20-year contract. Pictured at left are Councilwoman Bonner (left) and Robert F. Caldwell (right), president of Duke Energy Renewables. Pictured at right is the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Councilwoman Bonner, community, business, environmental and civic leaders,
Councilwoman Bonner said, “This is an ideal location for a solar facility and there’s far less impact on the environment now that the golf course is gone” said Councilwoman Bonner. “The economic benefit to the school, library and fire districts will go a long way to improve services in the community for many years to come.”
Community benefits include:
•Significant increase in Property Tax Revenue. Nearly $20 million ($1 million annually) paid to the Shoreham-Wading River School District/North Shore Library District over the next 20-years in Town-assessed property taxes through a PILOT Agreement. This translates to 1,735% increase over Tall Grass Golf Course’s $57,600 per year Shoreham-Wading River School District/North Shore Library District property tax payment. Over $75,000 per year to Rocky Fire Department.
•Cessation of continuous irrigation and harmful chemicals. Local groundwater aquifer recovery from cessation of continuous Tall Grass Golf Course maintenance during the Spring, Summer and Fall (on-site wells pumping for March through October irrigation; and dosing of fairways and greens with fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides).
•New added perimeter landscaping further buffering the site from adjacent roads and properties views.
•Golf Course-related traffic/noise reductions.
Additionally, Shoreham and Town residents’ benefits will include the following dramatic power plant emissions reductions:
•Powering 3,500 homes with clean, renewable energy.
•29,000 tons per year of greenhouse gases resulting from an equal 24.9MW reduction in LIPA-contracted on-Island fossil fueled generation, which includes National Grid’s diesel-fueled Wading River Generating Station and J-Power’s kerosene fueled Shoreham Power, LLC, both co-located at LIPA’s Shoreham Site.
Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone 631-451-6595