Dear Friend of Sensible Solar,

Thank you for supporting Sensible Solar for Rural New York in our critical fight to protect Copake and its natural resources, farmland, wildlife habitat, rural viewsheds, property values, and agriculture- and tourism centric economy. The fact is Hecate Energy's ill-conceived, industrial-scale solar facility remains too big and disrespectful of our community's zoning laws, farmland protection and economic development plans, and most importantly, Copake's future.

While we strongly support New York State's ambitious renewable energy goals, they must not be achieved at the expense of New York's rural communities and all we've worked so hard to accomplish.

Over the past year, Sensible Solar has worked tirelessly to ensure members of our community and Columbia County stay informed and understand the facts about Hecate Energy's proposed Shepherd's Run solar development. We've mailed and emailed important project updates to more than 4,000 residents; placed ads and editorials in the Albany Times-Union, Register Star and Columbia Paper; launched the sensiblesolarny.org website; activated Facebook and Instagram campaigns; and hosted virtual town hall meetings. 

Sensible Solar has also met with local and New York State elected officials, key decision-makers in the siting process, and dozens of journalists who have written about our fight in Copake. You must know that all of this was accomplished because of the generous donations received from community members, as well as thousands of volunteer hours.

We are at a critical juncture in our fight! Over the next six months, Sensible Solar must ensure that any solar project built in Copake is something we can all be proud of and support. Unfortunately, we are not there yet, our operating funds are running short, and Hecate Energy (now partially owned by an energy company based in Spain) will spend whatever it takes to make its Copake development happen.

Sensible Solar has big plans for the fall! However, to activate our outreach and advocacy strategy, we must raise $75,000 by month's end. These funds will support a direct mailer, newspaper ads, flyers and posters, policy-maker and media outreach, and more community meetings. 

Can you donate $50, $100, $250 or more? The more we raise, the harder we can fight to preserve our rural town and others like Copake.

To donate online, click here, scroll down and click on the "Donate Now" button. Alternatively, you can mail a check payable to Sensible Solar for Rural New York to: Sensible Solar for Rural New York | P.O. Box 305 | Craryville, NY 12521

Thank you in advance for your support. Because of your generosity, we stand a fighting chance of ensuring Hecate Energy's proposed Shepherd's Run doesn't destroy our rural community and its bright future!

Darin
___________________________
Darin E. Johnson
Co-Founder and Leadership Team
Sensible Solar for Rural New York

NOTE -- Sensible Solar for Rural New York is recognized in the State of New York as a 501(c) 4 advocacy organization, and therefore donations to Sensible Solar are not tax deductible.