A large solar project in the southern end of Chautauqua County has been given state approval.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) has issued final siting permits to develop York Run Solar, a 90 MW solar facility in the towns of Kiantone and Busti, called . There were also a 20 megawatt and a 40-megawatt solar project elsewhere in the state that were approved as well.

The announcement was made Tuesday afternoon.

“On Earth Day, New York is proud to announce its latest investment in solar and wind technology, upholding our commitment to build a clean energy economy,” Governor Hochul said in the news release. “With refined siting protocols through the establishment of ORES four years ago, New York is expediting permitting for clean energy projects – all while creating good-paying jobs throughout the state. These projects are a testament to New York’s commitment to sustainability and resiliency in the face of a changing climate.”

The three projects are anticipated to create a total of 240 jobs during construction and mark 24 clean energy projects approved by ORES since 2021, when it was created to accelerate permitting for renewable energy generation.

Because of the large size of the project, local towns did not have any vote on the proposal.

Since 2021, New York state has approved 28 large-scale solar and wind projects, including 24 permitted by ORES and four approved by the NYS Siting Board under Article 10, the statute that governed solar and wind projects over 25 MW prior to the creation of ORES. The 28 permitted facilities represent 3.7 gigawatts of new clean, renewable energy.

According to ORES, the York Run Solar application was deemed complete on Oct. 9, 2024, and a draft permit was issued by ORES on Dec. 6, 2024.

“These solar power projects meaningfully advance New York’s clean energy goals while establishing the State as a paradigm for efficient, transparent, and thorough siting permitting process of major renewable energy facilities,” the release stated.

In February, a public hearing was held in Kiantone, where only one person spoke out in opposition.

This 90 megawatt facility is the second-largest approved solar project in the county.

ConnectGen was previously approved to build a 270-megawatt solar facility in South Ripley, but construction has not yet begun.

There have been dozens of other solar projects proposed for Chautauqua County, some of which are already up and running. The majority of them are 5 megawatts or smaller.