Community referendum to take place Tuesday, July 15
The Greater Johnstown School District held a public hearing on Wednesday, July 2 for community members to learn more about a planned Energy Performance Contract (EPC) project that includes the installation of a revenue-generating solar array on approximately nine acres behind Johnstown High School. The solar array will provide electric energy needs for all District buildings for the next 20-30 years. There will be no additional tax impact for the community and the project will pay for itself through guaranteed energy savings, state aid reimbursement and other incentives, with the potential to generate additional revenue for the District.
In coordinating the solar array as an EPC project, it is treated much like a capital project where the District receives building aid from the New York State Education Department (NYSED). While the project does not require a community vote for the District to move forward, holding a public vote enables the District to earn back an additional 10% aid from NYSED, for a total of 91% of the cost of the project.
The community will vote on the referendum on Tuesday, July 15. Polls will be open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. in the lobby of the JPAC auditorium at JHS. Read more about the solar array project here.
Approximately 20 well-informed community members attended last week’s public forum to hear a presentation by Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Crankshaw, followed by a Q&A session. Below is a summary of the thoughtful and insightful questions raised by attendees during the public hearing:
Why is the GJSD solar project exempt from the Town of Johnstown’s solar moratorium?
As Town Supervisor Ms. VanValkenburgh noted during the hearing, the town’s moratorium does not apply to GJSD’s project. The moratorium specifically restricts the installation of solar panels on land not owned by the installer, when the energy generated is intended for use by communities outside of that property. In this case, GJSD owns the land where the solar panels will be installed, will own the panels being installed, and the electricity produced will be used to power the school district itself. Additionally, any property owner in Johnstown retains the right to install solar panels on their own property for their own energy use.
Who is responsible for maintaining the solar panels and removing any that are ineffective or damaged?
The District has contracted the John W. Danforth Company as the project’s designated Energy Service Company (ESCO). As the ESCO, Danforth is responsible for maintaining the solar array and ensuring the District’s energy savings guarantee over an 18-year period. This includes the removal and proper disposal of any damaged or ineffective panels. Once the 18-year contract expires, responsibility for maintaining the system will transition to the District.
What are the next steps in the project?
- National Grid – The District has received all necessary approvals from National Grid and has completed the required Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review (CESIR) study. The project is currently “in the queue” for the solar array to be connected to the grid through a substation on Warren Street.
- Town of Johnstown – While the District does not require formal approval from the Town to install its own solar panels on its property, District administrators have emphasized the importance of collaborating with the Town of Johnstown to ensure all concerns are addressed and any applicable requirements are met. The project is currently in the design phase. Once finalized, the plans, which will include environmental impact statements and material safety data sheets, will be shared with the Town for their review and input.
- NYSED – The final stage of approval comes from NYSED. Once the design plans are completed, they will be submitted to NYSED for review. Upon approval, the project will be cleared to proceed. NYSED is the agency responsible for issuing the necessary permits for the District.
How long will installation take and what will the hours of operation be?
Pending final approval from the New York State Education Department (NYSED), and clearance by the Town of Johnstown, installation is slated to begin in the fall of 2025 and take approximately 12 months, with a stopdown of work during the winter months. Danforth representatives indicated that installation work will generally occur between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., with occasional days of increased noise due to the use of drilling equipment.
How will the solar array affect the cross country trail?
The solar array is being specifically designed to avoid any disruption to the District’s cross country trail. However, Dr. Crankshaw noted that during installation, there may be temporary disruptions. For safety reasons, slight detours could be required while work is underway.
With Danforth as the designated ESCO, are they receiving additional money because the District is receiving aid?
No. Danforth is legally prohibited from receiving any funds that are intended for the school district.
Why did the District decide to install solar in this location, instead of using the flat roof tops of JHS or the parking lots?
All potential locations were carefully evaluated. The rooftops of JHS were determined to be unsuitable for a solar installation, as the buildings were not designed to support that type of infrastructure. Using the parking lot was also considered, but ultimately dismissed due to aesthetic concerns. The selected site behind JHS was chosen because it offers a more discreet location—surrounded by trees and vegetation—allowing the array to remain largely out of sight.