Sensible Solar for Rural New York welcomes and supports the ushering in of a Hochul administration to lead New York State forward. Lt. Governor Hochul has the opportunity to put an immediate end to the Cuomo-era wild west of renewable energy siting -- one that permits developers to place profit over protecting rural New York's natural resources, farmland, viewsheds and economies.
Sensible Solar for Rural New York, on behalf of more than 4,300 residents in Columbia County, looks forward to speaking with the incoming Governor Hochul on the ongoing issues facing Copake, NY and rural communities throughout New York State in the face of rapid energy transformation and the siting of industrial-scale solar and wind projects. While shifting New York State to renewable energy is absolutely critical to fighting climate change, it must not be accomplished to the detriment of rural New York and the state's long-standing commitment to agriculture, home rule and rural economic development.
Sensible Solar Sets Record Straight on Hecate Energy's Proposed Utility-Scale Solar Facility in Copake, NY
Sensible Solar for Rural New York has launched an ad campaign refuting claims being put forward by Hecate Energy and Friends of Columbia Solar about the Chicago-based developer’s proposed Shepherd’s Run solar facility. The two-page ad – which refers to Hecate Energy’s solar project as ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ – addresses misleading statements made by proponents of Shepherd’s Run by highlighting the harm to Copake’s natural resources, environment, rural ecology, farmland and local economy should Shepherd’s Run be approved as currently proposed. Click here to view a larger copy of the two-page ad that appeared in last week's Columbia Paper.
Sensible Solar for Rural New York, on behalf of the more than 4,300 concerned residents of Copake and Columbia County, demands that Hecate Energy significantly reduces the project’s size to better comply with local zoning law; protects wetlands and streams, farmland, forests and rural viewsheds in the project area; sets back and screens the solar facility from neighboring homes and major roads; pays their fair share of local, county and school taxes; compensates landowners in direct viewshed of the project; and preserves the character and charm of our rural community.
“Friends of Columbia Solar must not be allowed to mislead the public with one-sided information regarding the proposed Shepherd’s Run solar facility. The Town of Copake and its residents deserve the truth, and to understand the detrimental, long-term harm our community faces if Hecate’s Shepherd’s Run is approved as currently proposed,” said Darin Johnson, Sensible Solar for Rural New York. “More than 4,300 residents of Copake and Columbia County oppose the Shepherd’s Run project, and New York State officials must respect the laws and wishes of our state’s rural communities rather than favor out-of-state, for-profit developers. Fighting climate change can’t come at the expense of New York State’s rural communities, natural resources, farmland and economies.”
Sensible Solar for Rural New York is a citizen-led, nonpartisan coalition that represents the residents of Copake and Columbia County who oppose the 60-megawatt Shepherd’s Run solar facility in its current state. Sensible Solar for Rural New York strongly supports New York State’s commitment to combatting climate change through the expansion of renewable energy. However, the siting and development of large-scale solar and wind projects must not be at the detriment of rural communities. Sensible Solar for Rural New York advocates for sensible renewable energy solutions and believes rural communities must be given equal consideration and weight as New York State moves to transform the energy industry.