Hecate Energy's Open House Tonight
Tuesday, Nov 30th | 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Hillsdale Firehouse on Route 22

Thank you to all those who attended Sensible Solar for Rural New York's Zoom meeting last night. We were so encouraged by the strong participation and thoughtful questions and comments shared.

It's clear the residents of Copake and Columbia County want only the best outcome for our rural community!

To that end, below are some of the concerns Sensible Solar shared on last night's Zoom; we encourage you to discuss with Hecate Energy representatives at tonight's open house:

1. Shepherd's Run will violate at least 15 local laws which Hecate Energy plans to ask the NYS Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) to waive.
2. The project area is entirely on land within the Agriculture and Rural Residential District of Copake – NOT an appropriate site for an industrial-scale solar facility.
3. Takes prime and active farmland out of use – most likely forever. Did you know that NYS's Department of Agriculture and Markets considers farmland used for solar installations to be permanently converted land, and strongly advises that solar installations should not be sited on farmland?  We must preserve Copake's farmland!
4. Hecate plans to clear cut 30-40 acres of trees... Outrageous!  Did you know that a typical hardwood tree can absorb up to one ton of carbon dioxide by the time it reaches 40 years old?  
5. The project has an inadequate landscaping and screening plan – no use of berms which would help screen the solar facility from neighboring homes.
6. No landscape maintenance plan or budget for the life of the project or mechanism to ensure ongoing compliance.
7. The project will be surrounded by seven miles of unsightly chain link fencing.
8. Hecate Energy must provide more clarity on plans to grade portions of the site.
9. Two important studies – a visual impact analysis and a glare analysis – will not be completed and available for review prior to Hecate submitting its application to ORES.
10. Hecate fails to adequately address the project's impact on local volunteer fire departments.
11. No real short- or long-term employment opportunities -- jobs that were originally promised to local residents.
12. What are the  community benefits, including payments to Copake, Columbia County and Taconic Hills Central School AND discounted energy rates for residents?  No information provided by Hecate to date.                   

THIS IS OUR TOWN, so we must demand that Hecate DO SO MUCH BETTER! Ask Hecate representatives important questions and voice your concerns.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: PLEASE URGE HECATE TO HOLD OFF ON SUBMITTING ITS 94-C APPLICATION UNTIL THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO HECATE'S FINAL PLAN AND APPLICATION.

While there will be a public comment period after Hecate files its application, as long as the application conforms to the 94-c regulations IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT ORES WILL FORCE HECATE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES OR IMPROVEMENTS. That's why it's critically important that Hecate incorporate the working group's recommendations into its final plan before submission to ORES.  

Thank you for your support!  Hope to see many of you tonight at the Hillsdale Firehouse.