Community narrowly rejects project by a vote of 110 in favor versus 115 against
The Greater Johnstown School District is currently evaluating next steps for its proposed Energy Performance Contract (EPC) project, which includes the installation of a revenue-generating solar array on nine acres behind Johnstown High School, thoughtfully sited out of view and screened by existing tree cover. The array will provide clean, renewable electricity to meet the energy needs of District buildings for the next 20 to 30 years. The project will have no additional tax impact on the community and is expected to pay for itself through guaranteed energy savings, state aid reimbursement, and other available incentives—while also offering the potential to generate additional revenue for the District.
Although a community vote was not required for the District to proceed with the project, holding a public referendum allowed the District to potentially qualify for an additional 10% in aid from the New York State Education Department (NYSED), increasing the total aid from 81% to 91% of the project’s cost, which is not to exceed $11 million. To meet state requirements and maximize financial benefits, the District held a public hearing on July 2, followed by the referendum on Tuesday, July 15.
The community narrowly rejected the project by a vote of 110 in favor versus 115 against—a slim margin of just 2.22%.
“Solar energy is a topic that understandably brings out strong opinions on both sides,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Crankshaw. “We recognized that this outcome was a possibility and worked to communicate all potential scenarios to our stakeholders in advance. We felt that a public referendum was a necessary step to potentially qualify for additional aid and to position the District for even greater financial stability in the future. At this evening’s Board of Education meeting, it will be my recommendation to them that they follow the early advice of the District’s Shared Decision Making Committee to move forward with the project as a matter of sound stewardship of the community’s resources.”
More About the Project:
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.
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.
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.
It is important to note that the town’s moratorium on solar 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.
The final stage of approval will come 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.
Pending final approval from 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 scheduled shutdown of work during the winter months.