Decommissioning PlanNEXAMP – DECOMMISSIONING PLAN FOR NORTHERN
GATEWAY RENEWABLES, LLC &
SOUTHERN GATEWAY RENEWABLES, LLC
May 24, 2022- V1
Northern Gateway Renewables, LLC, & Southern Gateway Renewables, LLC, as provided by Nexamp, has
prepared this Decommissioning Plan (Plan) for its proposed solar photovoltaic facilities (Facilities) to be
constructed on County property located on 433 Queensbury Avenue (Tax Parcel No. 297.15-1-1 & 303.8-1-1).
The Plan describes the process for decommissioning the Facility in accordance with state requirements.
Facility Description
The Facilities will consist of two 5 - MW (AC) capacity solar power-generating array secured within a
fence surrounding the solar panels and equipment, accessed through a locked gate located inside the
property. The Facility will include the following site features:
xPV Modules, inverter(s), and transformer (filled with biodegradable mineral oil)
xCombiner boxes and switchgear
xConcrete pad(s)
xScrew or driven piles and racking to support the PV modules
xDC and AC wiring
xAbove ground wooden utility poles and overhead wires
xA gravel access drive
xExterior security fencing
xA security gate at the entrance to the array area
Decommissioning Plan
The Facility will be decommissioned by completing the following major steps: Dismantlement,
Demolition, and Disposal or Recycle; and Site Stabilization, as further described below.
Dismantlement, Demolition, and Disposal or Recycle
A significant portion of the components that comprise the Facility will include recyclable or re-saleable
components, including copper, aluminum, galvanized steel, and modules. Due to their re-sale monetary
value, these components will be dismantled, disassembled, and recycled rather than being demolished
and disposed of.
Following coordination with National Grid (“NGRID”) regarding timing and required procedures for
disconnecting the Facility from the utility distribution network, all electrical connections to the system
will be disconnected and all connections will be tested locally to confirm that no electric current is
running through them before proceeding. All electrical connections to the PV modules will be severed at
each module, and the modules will then be removed from their framework by cutting or dismantling the
connections to the supports. Modules will be removed and sold to a purchaser or recycler. In the event
of a total fracture of any modules, the interior materials are silicon-based and are not hazardous.
Disposal of these materials at a landfill will be permissible.
The PV mounting system framework will be dismantled and recycled. The metal piles will be removed
from their approximated depth of four feet and recycled. All other associated structures will be
demolished and removed from the site for recycling or disposal. This will include the site fence and
gates, which will likely be reclaimed or recycled.
Grade slabs will be broken and removed to a depth of three feet below grade, and clean concrete will
be crushed and disposed of off-site or recycled (reused either on- or off-site). The portion of the
gravel access road created specifically for the project, namely that portion within the perimeter fence
surrounding the PV modules, will be removed as well.
Above ground utility poles owned by Watertown Renewables, LLC will be completely removed and
disposed of off-site in accordance with utility best practices. Any overhead wires will be removed from
the Facility and will terminate at the utility-owned (NGRID) connections inside the property. The access
road will remain in place and NGRID will be responsible for dismantling those overhead wires and poles
under its ownership. Coordination with NGRID personnel will be conducted to facilitate NGRID removal
of any poles and overhead wires located on the site.
A final site walkthrough will be conducted to remove debris and/or trash generated during the
decommissioning process and will include removal and proper disposal of any debris that may have
been wind-blown to areas outside the immediate footprint of the facility being removed.
Site Stabilization
The areas of the Facility that are disturbed during decommissioning will be re-graded to establish a
uniform slope and stabilized via hydroseeding with a ground treatment approved by the Zoning
Officer.
Permitting Requirements
Given the size and location of the Facilities, approvals will be obtained prior to initiation of
the decommissioning process. Table 1 provides a summary of the expected approvals if the
decommissioning were to take place in May 2022. Noting that the decommissioning is
expected to occur at a much later date, the permitting requirements listed in the table
below will be reviewed at that time and updated based on then current local, state, and
federal regulations.
Table 1. Current Permitting Requirements for Decommissioning
The decommissioning process is estimated to take approximately eight to ten (8-10) weeks and
is intended to occur outside of the winter season.
Permit Agency Threshold/Trigger
State Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (SPDES)
General Permit for Discharges
from Construction Activity
New York State
Department of
Environmental
Conservation (NYSDEC)
Ground disturbance of greater than 1
acre with discharge to wetlands or
water bodies. Requires preparation of a
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan,
including erosion and sedimentation
controls.
A Building Permit must be obtained for
any construction, alteration, repair,
demolition, or change to the use or
occupancy of a building.
Building Permit Warren County &
Town of Queensbury
NORTHERN GATEWAY RENEWABLES, LLC & SOUTHERN GATEWAY RENEWABLES, LLC
DECOMMISSIONING SURETY
Consistent with the approach it has taken in other communities, prior to the issuance of a building permit
Nexamp shall provide a decommissioning surety in the amount of $283,500 for each project. This surety will
provide the requisite capital for solar project decommissioning in the unlikely event that Nexamp is unable to
meet its contractual obligations for solar project removal and restoration. In addition to the decommissioning
cost, Nexamp included a 5% contingency and allowance for associated legal costs.
Below is a summary of the analysis:
Project Capacity: 5.0 MW AC
Decommissioning (35,000$/MW) $ 175,000
Contingency (5%) $ 8,750
Legal (3%) $ 5,250
Decommissioning Subtotal $ 189,000
Total Decommissioning Costs (150%) $ 283,500
Solar Guidebook for Local Governments
NYSERDA 17 Columbia Circle Albany, NY 12203
150
Decommissing Solar
Panel Systems
Information for local governments and landowners on the
decommissioning of large-scale solar panel systems.
151
Section Contents
1. Abandonment and Decommissioning ...........152
1.1 Decommissioning Plans ....................152
1.2 Estimated Cost of Decommissioning .........152
2. Ensuring Decommissioning ....................153
2.1 Financial mechanisms ......................154
2.2 Nonfinancial mechanisms ..................155
2.3 Examples of abandonment and
decommissioning provisions .....................155
2.4 Checklist for Decommissioning Plans ........155
152
Overview
We provide information for local governments and landowners on the
decommissioning of large-scale solar panel systems through the topics
of decommissioning plans and costs and financial and non-financial
mechanisms in land-lease agreements.
As local governments develop solar regulations and landowners negotiate
land leases, it is important to understand the options for decommissioning
solar panel systems and restoring project sites to their original status.
From a land use perspective, solar panel systems are generally considered large-scale when they constitute the
primary use of the land and can range from less than one acre in urban areas to 10 or more acres in rural areas.
Depending on where they are sited, large-scale solar projects can have habitat, farmland, and aesthetic impacts.
As a result, large-scale systems must often adhere to specific development standards.
1. Abandonment and Decommissioning
Abandonment occurs when a solar array is inactive for a certain period of time.
• Abandonment requires that solar panel systems be removed after a specified period of time if they are no longer in
use. Local governments establish timeframes for the removal of abandoned systems based on aesthetics, system size
and complexity, and location. For example, the Town of Geneva, NY, defines a solar panel system as abandoned if
construction has not started within 18 months of site plan approval, or if the completed system has been nonoperational
for more than one year.22
• Once a local government determines a solar panel system is abandoned and has provided thirty (30) days prior written
notice to the owner it can take enforcement actions, including imposing civil penalties/fines, and removing the system
and imposing a lien on the property to recover associated costs.
Decommissioning is the process for removing an abandoned solar panel system and remediating the land.
• When describing requirements for decommissioning sites, it is possible to specifically require the removal of
infrastructure, disposal of any components, and the stabilization and re-vegetation of the site.
1.1 Decommissioning Plans
Local governments may require having a plan in place to remove solar panel systems at the end of their lifecycle, which
is typically 20-40 years. A decommissioning plan outlines required steps to remove the system, dispose of or recycle its
components, and restore the land to its original state. Plans may also include an estimated cost schedule and a form of
decommissioning security (see Table 1).
22 Town of Geneva, N.Y. CODE § 130-4(D)(5) (2016):
153
1.2 Estimated Cost of Decommissioning
Given the potential costs of decommissioning and land reclamation, it is reasonable for landowners and local governments
to proactively consider system removal guarantees. A licensed professional engineer, preferably with solar development
experience, can estimate decommissioning costs, which vary across the United States. Decommissioning costs will vary
depending upon project size, location, and complexity. Table 1 provides an estimate of potential decommissioning costs
for a ground-mounted 2-MW solar panel system. Figures are based on estimates from the Massachusetts solar market.
Decommissioning costs for a New York solar installation may differ. Some materials from solar installations may be recycled,
reused, or even sold resulting in no costs or compensation. Consider allowing a periodic reevaluation of decommissioning
costs during the project’s lifetime by a licensed professional engineer, as costs could decrease, and the required payment
should be reduced accordingly.
Table 1: Sample list of decommissioning tasks and estimated costs
Tasks Estimated Cost ($)
Remove Rack Wiring $2,459
Remove Panels $2,450
Dismantle Racks $12,350
Remove Electrical Equipment $1,850
Breakup and Remove Concrete Pads or Ballasts $1,500
Remove Racks $7,800
Remove Cable $6,500
Remove Ground Screws and Power Poles $13,850
Remove Fence $4,950
Grading $4,000
Seed Disturbed Areas $250
Truck to Recycling Center $2,250
Current Total $60,200
Total After 20 Years (2.5% inflation rate)$98,900
2. Ensuring Decommissioning
Landowners and local governments can ensure appropriate decommissioning and reclamation by using financial and
regulatory mechanisms. However, these mechanisms come with tradeoffs. Including decommissioning costs in the upfront
price of solar projects increases overall project costs, which could discourage solar development. As a result, solar
developers are sometimes hesitant to provide or require financial surety for decommissioning costs.
It is also important to note that many local governments choose to require a financial mechanism for decommissioning. Although
similar to telecommunications installations, there is no specific authority to do so as part of a land use approval for solar projects
(see Table 2). Therefore, a local government should consult their municipal attorney when evaluating financial mechanisms.