Project updates
February 2025
On or about February 10, 2025, Wethersfield Wind issued a 60 day notice of intent to file application.
January 2025
Community Meeting Boards
This information was presented to attendees at the Wethersfield Wind Community Meeting on January 28, 2025. Review Boards.
Community Meeting
DATE: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
TIME: 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
LOCATION: Rita George Recreation Hall 3529 E Main St. Bliss, NY 14024
RSVP: Requested, not required
Email: wethersfieldwind@aes.com
Please join AES for a Community Meeting regarding the Wethersfield Wind Repower Project, a wind energy generation facility producing up to 136 MW of renewable electricity. The Wethersfield Wind Project is in the Town of Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York. At the Community Meeting, display boards with information about the repowering of the existing facility will be set up around the room. There will not be a formal presentation. Project representatives will be available to provide information and answer questions about:
- the Wethersfield Wind Repower Project
- the Article VIII (formerly Section 94-c) permitting process
- the proposed Spring 2025 siting permit application submittal
- the availability of local agency account funding including how and when community groups can access available funding.
Community members and all interested stakeholders are invited to drop in between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Light refreshments will be provided. If you need any special accommodation, please contact us using the email address above.
October 24, 2023
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has awarded AES ten wind and solar projects across New York state totaling 1.2 GW of renewable energy generation under a large-scale renewables Request for Proposals (RFP). AES is thrilled to announce that Wethersfield Wind received an award.
This webpage is being updated to reflect the current project status and timeline.
September 27, 2023
The Office of Renewable Energy Siting [ORES] issued the jurisdictional determination that all six Valcour projects, including Wethersfield Wind, must receive a siting permit pursuant to Executive Law 94-c. Click here for the full Declaratory Ruling.
Repowering Update: AES purchased the Valcour Portfolio of wind projects, including Wethersfield Wind, intending to repower them. Originally, AES planned to replace essential components to extend the life of the existing towers — extending the benefits for landowners, the towns, and school districts for up to 30 years following the repower. However, comprehensive engineering and environmental assessments revealed that the wind parks and their beneficiaries will benefit from a more substantial repowering effort than initially anticipated. AES will continue to post information about the repower on this project webpage.
If you have any questions, please contact us by phone or email:
- 866-757-7697
- wethersfieldwind@aes.com
Wethersfield Wind, located in the Town of Wethersfield and Town of Eagle in Wyoming County, New York, is an existing 126 MW wind park planned to be repowered by AES. This project reduces carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 183,833 metric tons each year, producing enough electricity to power approximately 33,400 homes annually.
Operational since 2009, Wethersfield Wind is a project to which AES is excited to bring new life. The repowering of the wind park will incorporate significant component and control systems replacement with design improvements, resulting in greater energy production and improved energy reliability and availability. Repowering will ensure continued, significant economic benefits to the local community via HCA (Host Community Agreements) and PILOT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) agreements.
Article VIII Permit Application Process
Effective April 20, 2024, the Renewable Action through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act (L 2024, ch 58, part O) repealed Executive Law § 94-c and enacted a new Public Service Law article VIII entitled “Siting of Renewable Energy and Electric Transmission” (Article VIII). The RAPID Act consolidates the environmental review, permitting, and siting of major renewable energy facilities and major electric transmission facilities under the purview of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (Office or ORES).
The RAPID Act also transferred ORES’ regulations at 19 NYCRR part 900 (Part 900) to 16 NYCRR chapter XI, and continued Part 900 in full force and effect subject to conforming changes, such as the substitution of numbering, names, titles, citations, and other non-substantive changes to be filed with the Secretary of State. Effective July 17, 2024, the conforming changes were filed with the Secretary of State as a new 16 NYCRR part 1100 (Part 1100).
The text of the new Part 1100 currently in effect may be accessed at ORES Regulatory Documents.
Join the Wethersfield Wind stakeholder list.
Joining the Stakeholder List enables you to receive mailings of the Article VIII required notices.
You can join this list by:
- Filling out the "Contact Us" webform at the bottom of this page
- Calling 866-757-7697
- Emailing wethersfieldwind@aes.com
- Requesting Party Status
To learn more about the Article VIII permitting process, please visit the Office of Renewable Energy Siting website at https://ores.ny.gov/.
- The final Article VIII regulations are available at Chapter XI, Title 16 of NYCRR Part 1100 (Subparts 1100-1 - 1100-15)
- Resources related to the PSC Document Matter Master system, local agency account funds, and regulatory documents can be viewed on the ORES website at https://ores.ny.gov/resources
- Information on the Article VIII permit applications currently under review and those which have been deemed complete, can be found at https://ores.ny.gov/permit-applications
The application, once filed, can be examined during normal business hours at the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, as well as at the local libraries served in accordance with section 1100-1.6(a)(6) of this Part.
The addresses of these locations are:
- Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) c/o: OGS Mailroom, Empire State Plaza, 240 State Street P-1 South, J Dock Albany, N.Y. 12242
- Eagle Free Library: 3413 School St, Bliss, NY 14024.
- Gainesville Public Library: 10 Church Street, P.O Box 321 Silver Springs, NY 14550-0321
Intervenor funding is money that Applicants make available to qualified, locally affected parties and municipalities to offset certain expenses they incur in participating in the state permitting process. These funds are meant to encourage early and effective public involvement in project development and permitting.
- With the filing of its Article VIII permit application, Wethersfield Wind will submit the required local agency account fee. These funds can be sought by local community intervenors and host towns. 75% of funds are reserved for municipalities.
- Any local agency or potential community intervenor seeking funding must submit a request for initial funding within 30 days of the date of application filing.
- Additional details regarding requests for local agency account funding will be provided once the Wethersfield Wind Article VIII has been submitted to ORES.
Requests for local agency account funds can be made via:
- The ORES Request for Local Agency Account Funding form available in the Resources section of the ORES website
- Or by email to general@ores.ny.gov
- Or by mail to Attention: Request for Local Agency Account Funding Office of Renewable Energy Siting, Empire State Plaza, 240 State Street P-1 South, J Dock Albany, NY 12242
If you have questions regarding the intervenor process, please contact the ORES office.
To submit any questions or comments regarding the Article VIII permitting process, reach out to ORES by phone, email or written letter.
- Phone: (518) 473-4590
- Email: general@ores.ny.gov
- Mailing information (letters and envelopes):
Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES)
c/o OGS Mailroom Empire State Plaza
240 State Street P-1 South, J Dock
Albany, NY 12242
Making a difference in Wyoming County: AES' Social Impact Program.
Since 2022, AES has collaborated with stakeholders in Wyoming County through our dedicated Social Impact Program. With contributions exceeding $100,000.00 we focus on providing an increase in access to safe, efficient, affordable energy and basic services, fostering inclusive economic growth and education, enhancing community resilience, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Partnering for Inclusive Economic Growth & Education
Autism Nature Trail
- Supported the development of the Autism Nature Trail, creating inclusive spaces for individuals with autism to engage with and learn from nature.
Partnering for the Environment
Friends of Letchworth State Park
- Funded environmental initiatives within the park, ensuring the preservation and enhancement of this natural treasure.
- Supported the purchase of an all-electric UTV, promoting sustainable transportation within the park.
Partnering for Community Resilience and Increasing Access to Basic Services
Village of Arcade
- Helped purchase new village signage to support community health and resilience initiatives, enhancing the well-being of residents.
Eagle Free Library
- Supported capital improvements and the purchase of new technology to enhance library facilities, providing better access to resources and services for the community.
Peers Together of Wyoming County
- Covered annual gas expenses for vehicles transporting patients to critical medical appointments, supporting the health and well-being of those in need.
At AES, our role extends beyond providing energy. We are committed to creating vibrant, resilient, and sustainable communities. Our investments in Wyoming County demonstrate our ongoing dedication to social impact and community development. We are proud to partner with local organizations and look forward to continuing our efforts to positively impact the lives of Wyoming County residents.
If you know of an organization in your community that could benefit from AES support, please reach out to us at nystakeholderrelations@aes.com
Contact us
For any inquiries or comments about Wethersfield Wind please contact us directly at:
-
Project email: wethersfieldwind@aes.com
-
Local office phone number: 585-322-7671
- Local office address:
3700 Route 78
Bliss, NY 14024
New York office hours
Have a question or comment for AES about their work in NY? Give us a call during these hours to talk to a company representative.
- Every Monday from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
- Every Thursday from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM ET
- Call our New York toll-free number at 866-757-7697
New York office address
292 Madison Ave, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10017