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by Sean Cavanaugh
A small rural town in Columbia County is mounting opposition to a large-scale solar project that residents say could dramatically change their community, with part of the proposed development located not far from a local school.
The project, known as the Shepherd’s Run Solar Project, would span roughly 215 acres of farmland in the Town of Copake. While many residents say they support renewable energy in principle, they argue this project is too large and poorly sited.
“It’s like they’re ruining the environment to save the environment,” one resident said.
Sensible Solar for Rural New York is a group of concerned residents who say the solar farm could threaten the Taconic watershed, which provides drinking water to the City of Hudson.
“This project will be smack in the middle of the Taconic watershed,” said West Copake resident Jean Halloran. “That watershed provides 100 percent of the drinking water for the city of Hudson.”
Others have raised safety and aesthetic concerns. Retired FDNY Battalion Chief William Murphy said the flat, open terrain could allow fires to spread more easily, especially during windy conditions. Nearby residents also worry that the scale of the project would permanently alter the rural landscape.
“I don’t feel it should be taken over by monstrosities and ruin the layout of the land,” said Hillsdale resident Paul Amash Jr. “Having an eyesore is terrible.”
The project has been under discussion since 2016 and recently received approval from the state’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission to advance to public hearings as part of the permitting process. The developer, Illinois-based Hecate Energy, must still secure a final permit from the state before construction can begin.
Supporters of the project, including members of Friends of Columbia Solar, say developments like Shepherd’s Run are essential to meeting New York’s clean energy goals under the Climate Leadership and Protection Act.
“This project will help get us to New York’s goal of a 100 percent carbon-free grid by 2040,” said Dan Haas, co-chair of the group.
Some residents, however, feel the state process favors developers. Copake resident Victoria Sander cited language from state staff suggesting certain local laws could be overridden if deemed “unreasonably burdensome” to state climate goals.
CBS6 reached out to the New York State Department of Public Services, which oversees the siting office. In a statement, the department said it welcomes public comment and will review all concerns entered into the official record.
Hecate Energy also responded to questions about resident opposition, saying the company is committed to helping New York achieve its clean energy targets and believes the Shepherd’s Run project is an important part of that effort.
The Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission is scheduled to hold in-person public comment hearings on Wednesday and Thursday at Copake Town Hall. Opponents say they plan to attend in force, hoping to halt the approval process.
“We will be there, we will be making comments, and we will be making our views known,” Halloran said. “We really hope this project can be stopped.”
CBS6 has reached out to state officials for further response and will continue to follow developments as both supporters and opponents prepare to make their case.
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