Bear Ridge Solar Project
A proposed 100 MW-AC solar facility in the Towns of Cambria and Pendleton, Niagara County, New York
About Bear Ridge Solar
The project is expected to be sited on approximately 900 acres and will safely generate enough clean, renewable electricity to power between 15,000 and 20,000 single-family homes. The project will also offset an estimated 160,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, the equivalent of removing 15,000 cars from the road each year. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Social Cost of Carbon, a measure, in dollars, of the long-term damage done by a ton of CO2 emissions in a single year and the value of damages avoided through an emission reduction, the environmental benefit of this project will provide an economic benefit equivalent to $6.2 million per year to the State of New York.
Bear Ridge Solar Receives Draft 94-c Permit
Bear Ridge Solar Project Endorsed by the Sierra Club
Niagara County, New York: August 16, 2022 – The Sierra Club’s New York Atlantic Chapter has officially endorsed Cypress Creek Renewables’ proposed Bear Ridge Solar Project, located in the Towns of Cambria and Pendleton in Niagara County. The endorsement comes after the Niagara Group of the Sierra Club completed a favorable assessment of the 100MW solar project under development by Cypress Creek Renewables.
The Sierra Club is an influential grassroots environmental organization with a goal to promote the responsible use of the Earth’s ecosystems and resources and restore the quality of the natural and human environment. The club’s endorsement of the Bear Ridge Solar Project is a significant achievement since it is based on an examination of the project’s qualitative and quantitative attributes to ensure the project meets the club’s commitment to renewable energy in a manner that preserves nature and provides a just transition that respects communities.
“We worked hard with the Sierra Club to win their endorsement,” said Keith Silliman, Director of Regulatory Compliance for New York at Cypress Creek. “They were meticulous and thorough in their assessment.”
Prior to making its endorsement, the Sierra Club conducted a thorough evaluation of the project, which received a notice of complete application from the New York Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) on August 2, 2022. The Sierra Club’s evaluation focused on nine categories including impacts on forested land, wetlands and riparian areas, birds and other wildlife, and food and production workers. They also assessed local labor agreements, the tax base, community engagement and listening efforts made by the developers, wider community benefits of the project and conducted an Indigenous Nations consultation. Representatives of the Sierra Club also toured the project location where they met with one of the project’s landowners, an active dairy farmer.
“Coming on the heels of the NYSERDA Renewable Energy Credit Award and the ORES Notice of Complete Application, the Sierra Club endorsement is a significant milestone for Cypress Creek as we move forward with the development of the Bear Ridge Solar Project,” said Sarah Slusser, CEO of Cypress Creek. “We look forward working with the Sierra Club on both Bear Ridge and other projects we’re developing across the country.”
Cypress Creek signs MOU with local NY laborers
Cypress Creek Renewables is proud to announce a Memorandum of Understanding with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 3rd District for the construction of the Bear Ridge Solar Project.
The proposed project is a 100 MW solar generation facility located in the towns of Cambria and Pendleton in Niagara County. The on-site construction of this project is anticipated to begin in 2023 and extent to 2024. This MOU means that construction of this project shall be completed by skilled members of IBEW, 3rd District
“The labor agreement between Cypress Creek Renewables and IBEW Local 237 is going to provide local well-paying jobs to Niagara County electricians who pay Niagara County taxes and spend their money primarily in Niagara County,” John Scherrer, IBEW Local 237 Business Manager, said.
Cypress Creek would use this agreement to hire skilled prime contractors to head various portions of the project construction. These contractors would then hire trained craftsmen, journeymen and workers to help construct the project.
“This agreement is going to provide the opportunity for Niagara County electrical apprentices to learn and further their knowledge of renewable energy work providing the on-the-job training to excel in the quickly developing field of solar energy,” Scherrer said.
This collaboration highlights Cypress Creek’s “support local” approach to construction of its facilities. It is one of two recently agreed to in New York. The other MOU is with Laborers’ Local 190 for the company’s Oxbow Hill Solar Project in the Town of Fenner, which anticipates filing an application in the state’s 94-c process in fall 2022.
“Providing opportunities to the local job force in our project areas is an important part of Cypress Creek’s culture,” Marissa Scavo, Associate Director of Development at Cypress Creek Renewables, said. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with Laborer’s Local 190 and IBEW for our upcoming projects in New York State.”
For more information about Bear Ridge, visit ccrenew.com/projects/bearridge/.
94-c Siting Process
The Bear Ridge Solar Project has filed it's 94C application on November 30, 2021.
Copies of the finalized application can be viewed at the following locations:
Cambria Town Hall
4160 Upper Mountain Road Sanborn, NY 14132
Pendleton Town Hall
6570 Campbell Blvd. Lockport, NY 14094
Sanborn-Pekin Free Library
5884 West Street Sanborn, NY 14132
Lockport Public Library
23 East Avenue Lockport, NY 14094- Visit the 94c Process page to learn more about the siting process and the completed application.
Community Outreach Office
Our community office, located at 6421 Campbell Blvd, Suite B in Lockport, is currently open on an appointment only basis. Those wishing to visit the office with their questions are asked to email Community Engagement Manager Rikki Cason at Rikki.cason@ccrenew.com and let her know which date and approximate time they would like to stop in. Appointments will be made in 15-minute intervals.
Masks and social distancing practices will be required during the entire visit. During this unprecedented time, virtual appointments can also be made through phone call or Zoom meeting.
Last Update: 3/3/22