Stop the Town Line Solar and Battery Energy Storage project in Sullivan County
The Issue
A Lake Communities Alliance Campaign: Stop Town Line Solar
Thompson and Forestburgh, in Sullivan County, NY, are known for clean air and unspoiled wilderness — increasingly rare in our region.
That land is now at risk. A proposed solar and lithium battery project would industrialize some of the highest-quality forest and wetland in New York State.. Long protected in a sustainable forestry program, clearcutting this forest risks erosion, runoff, and flooding into the Neversink River. Acres of lithium battery storage carry real fire risk (toxic gas) and could contaminate groundwater and surface water. Our insurance costs go up while our property values go down.
What's at stake
The project would clear large areas of forest, destroy wildlife habitat, and disrupt an ecosystem that plants, animals, and people depend on — land that helps store carbon, filter water, and prevent flooding into the Neversink River, a world-class fly fishing site.
Our economically challenged rural community would absorb major environmental damage to accommodate a massive project that gives little back. The 1,200-acre project gives residents almost nothing in return, including no meaningful savings on electric bills.
The ask
We support renewable energy — just not at the cost of permanent environmental damage. We are asking the Thompson and Forestburgh town boards to deny the developer’s requested local tax breaks and any local code waivers. The state’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) can override local zoning, so the town boards’ decisions on taxes and waivers may be the community’s last real say. We know our representatives will want to do the right thing for their town and their constituents. We are simply bringing real issues to their attention so they can make thoughtful decisions.
By the numbers
- 1,200 acres - the largest solar project ever proposed in New York State south of the Capital Region
- Sits largely within a designated NYS Matrix Forest Block, which is the highest quality forest in New York State and critical for large-animal habitat and breeding
- Ranks in the top 1% of Hudson Valley forests for biodiversity; habitat for endangered and protected species
- 5 acres of lithium battery storage
- Developer RWE wants a waiver to use herbicides, a large local tax break, and a waiver on the requirement to completely remove all infrastructure and restore the site to pre-construction conditions after the project has served its useful life
- Residents would get just $8–$13/year in bill credits, for 10 years only — no other savings
We reject the claim that the only alternative to solar is high-density housing: town zoning requires costly central water, central sewer, and underground utility infrastructure. Most of land isn’t easily suited for this.
Take action
Attend a Town Board meeting and speak out:
- Thompson Town Hall, 4052 State Route 42, Monticello, NY 12701 · (845) 794-2500 · thompsonny.gov
- Forestburgh Town Hall, 332 King Road, Forestburgh, NY 12777 · (845) 794-0611 · forestburgh.net
About us
The Lake Communities Alliance is a group of residents from the lake communities and surrounding areas in and adjacent to the hamlet of Rock Hill, Town of Thompson, NY. Our mission is to ensure responsible local development that adheres to all regulations and that is in the best interest of our communities. Contact us at rhlca.org.
The image above is AI generated.
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The Issue
A Lake Communities Alliance Campaign: Stop Town Line Solar
Thompson and Forestburgh, in Sullivan County, NY, are known for clean air and unspoiled wilderness — increasingly rare in our region.
That land is now at risk. A proposed solar and lithium battery project would industrialize some of the highest-quality forest and wetland in New York State.. Long protected in a sustainable forestry program, clearcutting this forest risks erosion, runoff, and flooding into the Neversink River. Acres of lithium battery storage carry real fire risk (toxic gas) and could contaminate groundwater and surface water. Our insurance costs go up while our property values go down.
What's at stake
The project would clear large areas of forest, destroy wildlife habitat, and disrupt an ecosystem that plants, animals, and people depend on — land that helps store carbon, filter water, and prevent flooding into the Neversink River, a world-class fly fishing site.
Our economically challenged rural community would absorb major environmental damage to accommodate a massive project that gives little back. The 1,200-acre project gives residents almost nothing in return, including no meaningful savings on electric bills.
The ask
We support renewable energy — just not at the cost of permanent environmental damage. We are asking the Thompson and Forestburgh town boards to deny the developer’s requested local tax breaks and any local code waivers. The state’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) can override local zoning, so the town boards’ decisions on taxes and waivers may be the community’s last real say. We know our representatives will want to do the right thing for their town and their constituents. We are simply bringing real issues to their attention so they can make thoughtful decisions.
By the numbers
- 1,200 acres - the largest solar project ever proposed in New York State south of the Capital Region
- Sits largely within a designated NYS Matrix Forest Block, which is the highest quality forest in New York State and critical for large-animal habitat and breeding
- Ranks in the top 1% of Hudson Valley forests for biodiversity; habitat for endangered and protected species
- 5 acres of lithium battery storage
- Developer RWE wants a waiver to use herbicides, a large local tax break, and a waiver on the requirement to completely remove all infrastructure and restore the site to pre-construction conditions after the project has served its useful life
- Residents would get just $8–$13/year in bill credits, for 10 years only — no other savings
We reject the claim that the only alternative to solar is high-density housing: town zoning requires costly central water, central sewer, and underground utility infrastructure. Most of land isn’t easily suited for this.
Take action
Attend a Town Board meeting and speak out:
- Thompson Town Hall, 4052 State Route 42, Monticello, NY 12701 · (845) 794-2500 · thompsonny.gov
- Forestburgh Town Hall, 332 King Road, Forestburgh, NY 12777 · (845) 794-0611 · forestburgh.net
About us
The Lake Communities Alliance is a group of residents from the lake communities and surrounding areas in and adjacent to the hamlet of Rock Hill, Town of Thompson, NY. Our mission is to ensure responsible local development that adheres to all regulations and that is in the best interest of our communities. Contact us at rhlca.org.
The image above is AI generated.
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Petition created on September 30, 2026