Ulster County advances solar siting and rooftop installations, approves $1.7M rooftop contract

The Ulster County Law & Rules Committee on Dec. 11 voted to advance the county’s rooftop and municipal solar work by approving SEQR lead agency status for a Government Operations Center solar project, establishing two DPW capital projects for rooftop solar siting, and approving a $1.7 million contract for rooftop solar installations.

Chair Kovacs introduced Resolution 6 52, declaring the county’s intent to act as lead agency under SEQR for a solar project to provide power for the Government Operations Center at "Parities Lane in Du Paltz," and the panel approved the step to move the environmental review forward.

The committee then approved Resolution 6 53, which establishes capital projects 748 and 749 to support DPW rooftop solar siting and amends the 2026–2031 capital improvement plan and the 2026 operating budget. "This establishes two capital projects, both solar projects, rooftop solar, one for the DPW office building and one for the Social Services Building," Chair Kovacs said.

Finally, Resolution 6 54 authorizes a $1,700,000 contract with National Manufacturing and Distribution Incorporated (the item text also references National Solar Technologies) to install rooftop solar systems at county facilities. The committee moved, seconded and approved the contract resolution by voice vote.

What happens next: With lead agency declared and capital projects established, county staff will proceed with environmental review steps and contract implementation; the contract will move forward as approved unless subsequent reviews modify its terms.