Community Benefits
During construction, Cricket Valley Energy Center created almost 1,100 construction jobs, and now has a team of 28 permanent, full time staff managing facility operations, with salaries totaling approximately $3.4 million per year. In addition to delivering enough electricity to power 1 million homes, CVEC contributes significant revenue to the Dover School System, the town, the county, and the State of New York.
CVEC plays an active role in the Dover community, participating in local organizations and events including Ducks Unlimited, “Read Across America”, the Center for Compassion, Boy and Girl Scouts, and the Rotary Club, among others.
Economic Benefits
The project’s annual tax payment is currently set at approximately $3.3 million and will escalate to approximately $7.9 million.
CVEC’s PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) Agreement provides significant benefits to the local community. The tax payments will total $157 million over a 30-year period.
CVEC also provides funding for the following projects:
- Well and filtration system at Thomas J. Boyce Park
- New Salt Shed and Pole Barn for use by Dover Town Board
- Improvements to J.H. Ketcham Memorial Park
- Purchase of a mini-excavator, 10-wheel truck, and other requirements for use by the Town
- Annual $5,000 scholarship for graduates of Dover Union Free School District continuing over a 30-year term. The annual recipient may renew this scholarship for up to four years.
- Athletic field lighting and sound system at Dover High School
- Dover Educational Enrichment Program
- Board of Education Discretionary Fund
Serving the Community
CVEC collected back to school supplies to help families in need. CVEC was eager to lend a hand to the Dover Elementary School for the second year in a row!
A CVEC squad participated in the Ducks Unlimited annual Great Swamp Shoot, a fun event that supports Ducks Unlimited and their conservation work.
Congratulations to Shelby Schlueter (left) and Ariana Ball (right), the recipients of this year’s Cricket Valley Energy scholarship. Also pictured are Nienow, Assistant Project Manager, and Wendy Irwin. Ariana plans to go to Dutchess Community College to study Public Health, while Shelby is headed to Siena College to study Biochemistry.
The “Help Dover Shine” Committee held a successful town-wide litter clean up! CVEC donated hard hats, safety vests and volunteers to the cause. The entire group ended up filling over 140 bags!
It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time! The Local Girl Scouts were invited to the CVEC site to sell some cookies and they were a hit! Some people even decided to donate their boxes to the Center of Compassion. In total, CVEC Project purchased approximately 800 cookie boxes!
Scott Curry, Project Manager, was thrilled to be invited to read to the students of Wingdale Elementary School for their “Read Across America” event, a nationwide celebration to show children just how important reading is in all of our lives.
When the town truck was out of service, the CVEC team provided the Center of Compassion with a U-Haul rental for a food pick up and was happy to help unload it.
The Cricket Valley team recently recycled over $6,000 worth of scrap steel and was thrilled to be able to donate those funds to the Center of Compassion.
Turning turkeys and pies into handshakes and smiles, CVEC team members were grateful for the opportunity to help the Center of Compassion provide Thanksgiving meals to local families.
More than 850 craft workers take a well-deserved break for the “Million Man-Hour” lunch, recognizing the accomplishment of both a project and safety milestone.
In honor of Veteran’s Day, CVEC took the opportunity to salute and thank the more than 100 veterans who are working on site.
A proud sponsor of the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Community Walk, the Cricket Valley Hope Brigade walked to honor, remember, and help fund support services to those impacted by breast cancer.
When the Center of Compassion needed a little extra help this month, CVEC was there to lend a helping hand and a UHaul truck. Food was picked up and successfully delivered to serve those in need.
Members of the CVEC team lent a helping hand to the Boy Scouts of Hudson Valley to prepare for the opening of their headquarters at Camp Nooteeming in Salt Point. Together, the group painted seven rooms and the basement. A Saturday well spent!
In a reprise of last year’s effort, the Cricket Valley Power Paddlers claimed the title of “Top Fundraiser” at the Habitat for Humanity’s Dutchess Dragon Boat Race and Festival held in July.
A group of students from Dutchess County, aged 12–18, visited Cricket Valley on June 28, as part of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program at Cornell Cooperative Extension. The program is designed to give students an idea of careers available in the local area in the energy industry.
Air quality expert and scientist Peter Carr shared his knowledge on topics including weather and air quality with Dover High School science students in spring 2018. The students were very engaged in the discussion and asked great questions.
Project Manager Scott Curry (left) and Mark Duquette (right) shared information about CVEC’s work to remediate and restore wetlands on the project site during the 10th annual Earth Day event at Dover High School in April 2018. Everyone had a wonderful day.
Congratulations to Daniel Pakrad (middle), our 2018 Cricket Valley Energy Scholarship winner. Also pictured are Wendy Irwin and Mark Nienow. Daniel just finished up his first year at Rowan University where he is studying engineering. Cricket Valley is thrilled to welcome Dan as in intern at Cricket Valley for the summer.
More than 350 hungry craftspeople enjoy a Big W BBQ lunch to celebrate over 346,000 hours worked at CVEC sites without any lost time due to injury.
Empty cans and bottles are collected and returned each week at the CVEC worksite. The deposit refund goes to a local charity, making this a recycling effort that takes back and gives at the same time.
The Rotary Club of Millbrook invited Scott Curry, Project Manager, to discuss the CVEC project. Take a look at Scott’s presentation to see how the site has been cleaned up. View the presentation here.