The New York State Department of Public Service has announced that the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) will hold an in-person public comment hearing regarding the Sugar Maple Solar Project. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Carthage Recreation Building in Carthage, New York.
The Sugar Maple Solar Project proposes a 125-megawatt solar energy facility and a 20-megawatt battery energy storage system to be located in the Town of Wilna, Jefferson County, and the Town of Croghan, Lewis County. The application for this project was filed with ORES on February 6, 2025. A notice indicating that the application was complete was issued on October 3, 2025. Draft permit conditions were published by ORES staff on December 2, 2025. All related documents can be accessed online through the Department of Public Service website by selecting Project Permit Application Number 23-03027.
The public comment hearing is intended to gather unsworn comments from individuals or organizations who may be affected by the proposed facility. According to the announcement: “All persons, organizations, corporations, or government agencies who may be affected by the facility are invited to attend the hearing and comment on the application and the draft permit conditions.” Oral comments during the hearing may be limited to three minutes per person to ensure all interested parties have an opportunity to speak. Both oral and written comments will carry equal weight in consideration.
For those unable to attend or preferring written input, comments must be submitted by Friday, February 6, 2026. Written statements can be posted via the Department’s Document and Matter Management system online or sent via email or mail to ORES at its Albany office address. Written submissions received by this deadline will be considered equally with oral statements made at the hearing.
Accessibility accommodations are available for attendees with disabilities upon request through designated contact numbers provided by the Department of Public Service. If there are changes such as cancellation or rescheduling of the hearing—including moving it online—updates will appear on the ORES website.
Application materials and draft permit conditions are available for public inspection at both ORES’ Albany office and local libraries including Carthage Free Library and Croghan Free Library.
Written public comments will become part of publicly accessible records unless they contain prohibited content such as defamatory or unlawful material; duplicate submissions may not be posted.
