YATES COUNTY County officials have announced that the county's broadband committee has secured two contracts related to the $14M high-speed internet USDA ReConnect project that was awarded to the county last year. Approved by the legislature, the contracts are part of the process designed to bring internet access to 1,600 additional premises in Yates County.
DRESDEN-Greenidge Generation Holdings Inc. announced effective June 1, 2021, it will operate an entirely carbon-neutral bitcoin mining operation at its facility. Greenidge will purchase voluntary carbon offsets from a portfolio of U.S. greenhouse gas reduction projects. Each project has been reviewed and certified by one of three offset project registries, the American Carbon Registry (ACR), the Climate Action Reserve (CAR) and Verra.
Schuyler passes cryptocurrency resolution
SCHUYLER COUNTY The Schuyler County Legislature passed a resolution Monday, May 10 asking New York state to devise regulations regarding the operation of cryptocurrency mining operations. The resolution, which was previously tabled, was brought back by legislator Mark Rondinaro with minor adjustments as recommended by Watkins Glen. This reflects changes that Watkins Glen wanted, as there is concern amongst village officials that a cryptocurrency mining operation could increase electricity rates for all residents, said Rondinaro.
Rondinaro had previously tabled the resolution so that he could get input from Watkins Glen officials and discuss the resolution with members of the Yates County Legislature, some of whom he had said were opposed to the resolution.
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Public hearing set for solar project
SCHUYLER COUNTY The New York State Board On Electric Generation Siting and the Environment has announced March 23 there will be a public hearing on the proposed 50-megawatt solar project located in the Town of Dix. The meeting will be held virtually on the internet. The solar development has been proposed by the Watkins Glen Solar Energy Center, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC.
Proponents of the project say it would not only aid in reducing greenhouse emissions but also create financial and employment gains locally. The Watkins Glen Solar Energy Center can bring tremendous value to Dix and Schuyler County in terms of jobs, millions of dollars in additional revenue over the life of the project, and help New York meet its energy goals, said Lindsay Robertson, senior communications specialist for NextEra Energy Communications.
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Schuyler posts draft police reform plan
SCHUYLER COUNTY The Schuyler County Task Force on Police Reform has posted for public review, the draft police reform plan required by New York state Executive Order No. 203. The link to the report is at www.tinyurl.com/schuylerpolice
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The Schuyler County Task Force, formed in November of 2020, began conducting a review of policies, procedures, training and community programs of the Schuyler County Sheriff s Office. A plan was developed after a review of police force deployments, strategies, policies, procedures, and practices through consultation with community stakeholders. This plan will enable the Schuyler County Sheriff s Office to continue its community-oriented policing strategies while working towards further reducing racial disparities in policing. To assist with launching this plan, Schuyler County developed a survey that was distributed to residents in each of the 12 municipalities within the county last November.