History Timeline — Black Cherry Wind Project
Chronological, source-linked timeline covering Pierce Brook Substation, Swift Current Energy, PENNVEST financing, Lyme Timber acquisitions & sawmills, political contributions, NYISO interconnection filings, township meetings, MET tower filings, ownership updates, and target CODs. If a source is missing, send it and we’ll add it.
Nov–Dec 2029 — Target Commercial Operation Dates (per NYISO postings)
NYISO queue entries for Black Cherry Wind list late-2029 proposed CODs; schedules can shift based on study outcomes and approvals. C24-298
Oct 3, 2025 — THG Letter/Report: Site Clear of Conflicting Utilities
THG Geophysics transmits its letter/report to SCE after the field program. Conclusion: one shallow metallic anomaly (interpreted as an abandoned pipe) ~1 ft below grade; no vertical well casings, active utilities, or other conflicting infrastructure within the 300' buffer. The staked tower location is “clear of active or conflicting utilities.” Source: THG report (PDF)
Sept 29–30, 2025 — THG Field Survey (Utility Clearance, 300' Buffer)
THG conducts magnetic, EM (TCM), GPR, and traditional locating around the proposed MET tower site. Results: a short NE–SW shallow metallic anomaly traced with passive/induction locators and GPR hyperbolas; anomaly terminates before crossing the access road. No other utilities or well casings detected. Source: THG report (PDF)
Sept 5, 2025 — Developer Withdraws MET A; Hearing Proceeds for MET B
After the operator confirms the adjacent gas well is operational, Black Cherry announces it will shift MET A’s location and withdraw its township application pending re-submittal. The Board plans to proceed with a public hearing on Sept 16, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. for MET B. Source: Letter (PDF)
Sept 2, 2025 — FAA “No Hazard” Determination for MET B
FAA issues a Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation for MET B (Aeronautical Study 2025-WTE-6831-OE): 197 ft AGL, 2,473 ft AMSL, with red-lighting per AC 70/7460-1M recommended. Source: FAA determination (attached in Sept 5 letter)
Aug 13, 2025 — Township Letter Notes Active Gas Well Next to MET A
Developer acknowledges MET A is ~178 ft NW of conventional gas well 083-53597, which produced natural gas in 2024. Safety concerns raised regarding a tall conductive structure next to an active well. Source: Letter (PDF)
July 8, 2025 — Norwich Township: MET Tower Application (Site B)
Parallel packet for Site B, describing a ~197-ft MET with coordinates and site plan. Source: Township submittal (PDF)
July 8, 2025 — Norwich Township: MET Tower Application (Site A)
Building-permit packet for a ~197-ft guyed MET tower (Site A) in Norwich Township. Source: Township submittal (PDF)
Jul 22, 2025 — Buckeye Spins Out SCE Stake to IFM-Managed Funds
Buckeye Energy Holdings’ interest in Swift Current Energy is spun out to funds managed by IFM Investors. SCE later announces new independent directors. Buckeye press | SCE board news
May–Jun 2025 — Township Meetings, Petition & Benefits Discussions
Public meetings, fast-growing petition, and discussion of a ~$125,000/yr per township benefits model as residents press for strong ordinances. Solomon’s Words | Bradford Era (June 5, 2025)
May 2, 2025 — Regional ISO Briefing References Black Cherry Entries
Cross-ISO materials list queue items (including a second wind entry and a BESS) with late-decade in-service targets. ISO-NE IPSAC (PDF)
Sept 28–30, 2024 — NYISO Queue: “Black Cherry Wind 1” (C24-298) & BESS
Both point to the Homer City ↔ Pierce Brook 345-kV corridor; postings show proposed Commercial Operation around Nov–Dec 2029. C24-298 | C24-309 (BESS)
Jun 2024 — Landowner Dinner & Early Public Awareness
Local reporting notes a private landowner dinner in Crosby (Norwich Twp.) and early public discussion of a large wind proposal. Bradford Era (June 13, 2024)
Dec 2023 — NYISO Queue: “Black Cherry Wind 2” (ID 1648)
Entry references the Five Mile – Homer City 345-kV path (McKean/Cameron). Later status shows withdrawn/reconfigured in subsequent lists. Sources: Interconnection.FYI (1648) | NYISO queue (Mar 2024)
Apr 2021 — Lyme + Rossi Acquire Bradford Sawmill
A joint venture between Lyme Timber and the Rossi Group acquires the Bradford, PA sawmill and kilns and returns the mill to full production. Lyme release | Rossi locations
Apr 7, 2021 — Buckeye & Nala Renewables Invest in SCE (Majority Stake)
Buckeye Partners and Nala Renewables acquire a majority interest in Swift Current Energy; SCE management retains a minority via Lookout Ridge. Sources: GlobeNewswire | Trafigura release
Dec 10, 2020 — Lyme Timber Acquires ~92,000 Acres
Lyme closes on ~92,000 acres from Seneca Resources across Potter, McKean, Cameron, and Elk counties, adding to prior holdings. Sources: Lyme press | Times Observer | Bradford Era
2020 — Lyme Timber Employee Political Contributions
According to OpenSecrets.org, Lyme Timber employees/affiliates contributed about $472,725 to Democratic candidates and committees during the 2020 cycle, compared to $5,000 to a Republican group.
Nov 2019 — Governor’s Tour at Emporium Hardwoods
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf visits the Emporium Hardwoods facility for an industry briefing and tour. Coverage describes a visit — not any ownership stake. Bradford Era | Company post
Dec 2018 — Lyme Invests in Emporium Hardwoods
Affiliates of The Lyme Timber Company LP make a significant minority investment in the Emporium Hardwoods sawmill (Emporium, PA), aiding post-fire rebuilding. Lyme release
2017–2018 — PENNVEST Loans Approved to Lyme Affiliates
The PENNVEST Board approves $50 million (two loans at 1%) to Lyme affiliates for timberland purchases in north-central Pennsylvania; the Auditor General later reviews the deal and recommends program changes. Sources: Auditor General | PENNVEST 2018 report
2016 — Swift Current Energy Founded
Swift Current Energy (SCE) launches as a U.S. developer of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage. Source: SCE About
2014–2015 — Pierce Brook Substation & 230-kV Line Announced
FirstEnergy/TrAILCo publish notices for a new Pierce Brook Substation (Keating Twp., McKean County) and the Pierce Brook–Lewis Run 230-kV transmission line to improve reliability. Sources: factsheet | public notice
Transparency Note
We promote transparency — not accusation. If any item is better documented by an official filing, public record, or agency notice, we’ll update quickly for accuracy. Queue entries and project scopes may change as studies progress.