Last week a group of concerned Copake residents raised concerns with local and state elected officials about the impact of Hecate Energy's proposed Shepherd's Run solar project on the Taghkanic Creek which supplies drinking water to the City of Hudson -- click here to view letter and map. These concerns were raised in response to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (NYS DEC) recently released Taghkanic Headwaters Conservation Plan which states:

"The Taghkanic Headwaters and the lands that surround it support clean water for the people, plants and animals, and provide vial wildlife habitat connections between New York and New England. We envision a future Taghkanic watershed that is cared for by local communities and landowners to protect clean water."

Many in our community and region believe the construction and ongoing operation of an industrial-scale solar facility in an area that includes the Taghkanic Creek and other streams, protected wetlands, active farmland and mature forests is in direct conflict with this important environmental plan for Columbia County and the Hudson Valley.

TAKE ACTION
Copake and Columbia County residents are encouraged to express their concerns with key local and state officials -- see contact information below:

NYS Assemblymember Didi Barrett
518-828-1961 | barrettd@nyassembly.gov 

NYS Senator Daphne Jordan
518-371-2751 | jordan@nysenate.gov 

NYS Senator Michelle Hinchey (Democrat candidate for NYS Senate seat currently held by Daphne Jordan)
845-331-3810 | hinchey@nysenate.gov 

NYS Senator Sue Serino (Republican candidate for NYS Senate seat currently held by Daphne Jordan)
845-229-0106 | serino@nysenate.gov 

Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chair Matt Murell
518-828-1527 | matt.murell@columbiacountyny.com

Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson
518-828-7217 | mayor@cityofhudson.org