State project to repurpose former St. Lawrence County mine into solar-energy project

CLIFTON, N.Y. — New York State has announced an agreement to repurpose formerly mined land in St. Lawrence County into one of the “largest solar projects” in the Adirondack Park.

The project will create about 100 construction jobs in support of New York’s green economy.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) executed the land-lease agreement with Benson Mines, Inc., with support from the Town of Clifton, the Clifton-Fine Economic Development Corporation, St. Lawrence County, and the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Located on the northwest edge of the Adirondack Park, the approximately 20-megawatt Build Ready (BR) Benson Mines Solar project will be built on the remnants of Benson’s former iron-ore mining operation spanning about 130 acres. Once completed, the project will provide enough renewable energy to power more than 4,500 homes.

“The repurposing of this former mine in the Adirondack Park represents the innovative thinking that we need to put into action in order to compete in a green energy economy,” Cuomo contended in a release. “As we rebuild and reimagine our economy, projects like this will go a long way in helping us reach our renewable energy goals while creating opportunities for economic growth and fostering cleaner, healthier communities across New York.”

Beginning in the 1800s, the discovery of iron ore and its subsequent mining at Benson Mines has played a “foundational role” in the history of the towns of Clifton and Fine, and at its peak, the mine was considered the largest open pit iron-ore mine in the world, Cuomo’s office said. It closed in the mid-1970s and is now an aggregates and timber company serving the North Country.