A solar project may be coming to the Dunkirk airport in the future. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

Chautauqua County officials are moving ahead with a plan to allow a solar project to be constructed at the Dunkirk airport, although at least one official is opposed.

During the county legislature’s Public Facilities Committee meeting, the committee voted in favor of scheduling a public hearing in August regarding the proposed solar project. Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, voted against it.

The full legislature must still approve the resolution to schedule a public hearing. That vote will take place next week.

In April, county lawmakers voted 14-4 to authorize a Memorandum Of Understanding with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to begin exploring installing a 25 megawatt solar project with battery storage at the airport, which sits in the town of Sheridan. Scudder was one of the four lawmakers who voted against the MOU.

NYSERTA requested the Memorandum Of Understanding from the county in April so it could go ahead and continue to explore the opportunity. There are several steps that must occur before any solar panels would be installed there.

Airports Manager Shannon Fischer said at Monday’s committee meeting a glare study would be done before any panels are installed.

The project would also likely have to go before the county Industrial Development Agency if the developers want a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement.

At Monday’s committee meeting, representatives with NYSERTA’s Build Ready Program said they need a lease in place by September before they can submit the project’s interconnection request.

Even if the legislature agrees to the public hearing in August, another vote will be needed afterward before any lease with NYSERDA is enacted.

During Monday’s committee meeting, Scudder said his opposition to scheduling a public hearing is “more my feelings on solar,” adding that he’s opposed to solar projects in principle, not because it’s at the airport.