BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

CANTON — St. Lawrence County Legislators are encouraging solar energy developers to purchase American made equipment for facilities with a new resolution passed during the full board meeting held Aug. 1.

The resolution, which was brought forth by Legislator Rita Curran and co-sponsored by Larry Denesha, could have far reaching effects with a large number of solar projects popping up around the county.

Most recently, a new 240 megawatt project in the Canton area began progressing through the approval process, with others planned in and around Massena, Brasher and Norfolk as well.

Legislator Kevin Acres, who was an outspoken critic against a recent “Buy American” law passed by the New York Assembly that would require municipalities to purchase only American mined salt, initially took exception to the resolution in committee before finally offering support because it was not a mandate for companies looking to establish solar projects in the county.

“The way that I read this resolution is we are encouraging developers to purchase American made equipment for solar energy facilities. Energy facilities are constructed in NYS, not necessarily made in New York State,” Legislator Harry Smithers said last month.

Legislator Tony Arquiett also spoke on the resolution last month, offering a suggestion about handling a potential conflict due to rising costs, if such conflicts arise.

“I would suggest that if we pass this resolution and then at some point and time we realize that circumstances existed, like they did in Ogdensburg, then we would address them at that time,” Arquiett said at the time.

According to the resolution, the leased land for the facilities will encompass more than 991 acres and will be “sited on clear, dry and arable land that was primarily used for agricultural production.”

Such land is highly sought after by farmers, who say the extra land would allow them to produce more feed for livestock.

“The conversion of agricultural lands into non-farm uses reduces the money-multiplier effect of the agricultural industry on the local economy in St. Lawrence County and once constructed, most solar energy facilities yield few local employment opportunities as they only require periodic maintenance checks.”

The hope of legislators is to see local facilities utilize American made products to add revenue to the tax base through means other than the wages of local contractors who may be hired to build the facilities.

The resolution passed unanimously.