Public Involvement

Public Involvement

Hecate Energy has applied to build a solar facility, Coeymans Solar Farm, under Article 10 of the New York State Public Service Law.

We are taking great care that development, construction, and operation of our solar facility benefits the community and the environment. We encourage the public to provide feedback on how we may potentially improve our project design.

We are actively engaging the public through project briefings, informational open houses, media stories, public notices, mailings, email, and other means. The New York State Siting Board will also hold hearings in accordance with the Article 10 process

We are taking great care that development, construction, and operation of our solar facility benefits the community and the environment. We encourage the public to provide feedback on how we may potentially improve our project design.

If you would like to comment or schedule a project informational briefing for your group or organization, please contact us at: Contact@CoeymansSolarFarm.info

Intervenor Funding

Article 10 applicants are required to provide funds to be used to defray certain expenses incurred by municipal and local parties as they participate in the pre-application scoping process and in the proceeding before the Siting Board to consider the Article 10 application.

The funds, known as "intervenor" funds, are provided by the assessment of fees on the applicant. "Intervenor" is a name used to refer to a party that joins an ongoing case or proceeding as a third-party for the protection of an interest.

Some intervenors join as a matter of right established in the Article 10 statute; others are permitted to join at the discretion of the Presiding Examiner or the Siting Board. Not all intervenors are eligible for intervenor funds; only "municipal and local parties" are eligible.

Eligible "municipal parties" include any county, city, town or village located in New York State that may be affected by the proposed major electric generating facility. The Presiding Examiner must reserve at least 50% of the funds for potential awards to municipalities. Eligible "local parties" include persons residing in a community who may be affected by the proposed major electric generating facility. Such persons may seek intervenor funding either individually or collectively. Local parties are eligible to receive up to 50% of the funds.

For more information, please review the: Guide to Intervenor Funding.

To find out if your municipality or organization might be eligible for intervenor funding, please contact the Presiding Examiner through the NYS Siting Board.

Public Information Plan ("PIP")

Hecate Energy submitted a Public Information plan to identify project stakeholders and detail activities to encourage public engagement. A copy of the Coeymans Solar Farm Public Involvement Program (PIP) can be accessed below. Department of Public Services Website

Plan Components

PIP plan standards are established by state law (16 NYCRR § 1000.4). They include the following elements:

consultation with the affected agencies and other stakeholders;

pre-application activities to encourage stakeholders to participate at the earliest opportunity;

activities designed to educate the public as to the specific proposal and the Article 10 review process, including the availability of funding for municipal and local parties;

the establishment of a website to disseminate information to the public;

notifications; and

activities designed to encourage participation by stakeholders in the certification and compliance process.

Additional Resources

Additional information on the permitting process and Article 10 of the Public Service Law can be found at the following links: (links below redirect to separate websites, ie.)  

Article 10 Regulations
Article 10 Law
Article 10 FAQs