Limberlost Solar Projects I & II

Timeline:

  • Initial Application to Town of Kirkland: ?

  • Public Hearing: October 27th, 2025

  • Public Hearing Minutes - audio only available by FOIL Request

  • Window for public comments: CLOSES 11/26/25

    Comments may be submitted to: malbertine@townofkirkland.gov OR write a letter addressed to the Planning Board and mailed to Lumbard Hall for public comment.

  • Decisions due to RIC Energy: December 28, 2025 ?

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

  • Town Board @ 3699 Rt 12B - 11/24/25 at 5pm

  • Planning Board Meeting @ 100 N Park Row - 11/24/25 at 7:30pm

Information

Location: 101 Limberlost Road, Clinton, NY

Solar Company: RIC Energy, Spain

Project Manager:

  • Conrad Karsten

  • ckarsten@ric.energy

  • 917-426-8763

Land Info:

  • Prime Farmland (SSURGO Database)

  • Wetlands (NYS DEC)

  • Abuts Flood Zone AE (FEMA)

  • Environmental Monitoring HUC 12 Mud Creek Watershed (NYS DEC)

Wildlife Info:

  • Nearby Aquatic Monitoring Site (Oriskany Creek) - Slightly Impacted DEC category

  • Endangered Species Habitats: long eared bat, monarch butterfly (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) - see linked report

  • Bald & Golden Eagle habitat (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) - see linked report

  • Several migratory birds of conservation concern (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) - see linked report

  • Whitetail deer & other mammals

Current Concerns:

  • Project directly conflicts with Town of Kirkland Comprehensive Land Use Plan survey results, makes mockery of Town of Kirkland Solar Ordinance commitment “To mitigate the impacts of Solar Energy Systems on environmental resources such as important agricultural lands”

  • Wetlands and endangered species on proposed project site

  • Erosion and runoff concerns, area is frequently and severely flooded (between Limberlost & 233). Project involves adding culvert in wetland area, removing existing vegetation

  • Visual impact to nearby homes, decreasing home values

  • Area is recognized as Environmental Justice area due to poverty and minority census data. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) may provide solar company with additional tax credits for building in this area.

  • Zero qualitative or quantitative data on which homes will directly benefit from project

  • Many questions left unanswered at Public Hearing (joint TOK Planning Board & ZBA), second hearing denied, decisions to be made mid-December.

  • Meeting minutes from public hearing (10/27) have not been made available to the public. (11/17)

  • Several limitations to community solar rebate program via NYSERDA

  • EMF exposure and health concerns

  • Grasses and perennial plants only to be monitored for 18 months following planting during the “guaranteed period” (see pg 10 of civil docs for Limberlost II). Seed mix has 5 plant varieties - how many varieties will be eliminated for the project?

  • Fence will disturb and reroute wildlife

  • Fire Department not equipped to handle solar farm fire. Land would become hazardous.

  • Electrical drawings not publicly available

  • 7 overhead poles also being installed on land

  • Decommissioning bond will not put a dent panel removal/site cleanup at time of decommissioning. Town will go bankrupt to revert land back to farmland, therefore it will more likely sit idle.

  • RIC Energy sells solar projects as soon as they are online. See RIC energy project in town of Hanover.

  • Traffic concerns during construction periods

  • Proposed landscaping will not block view of solar panels from the road

 

Limberlost Rd 2025

Proposed project map via RIC Energy Project Website

FEMA Map

Soil Data Map

Impacted Wetlands (see links)

Environmental Justice Area

Oriskany Creek Aquatic Monitoring