SHEPHERD’S RUN IS BACK
Sensible Solar for Rural New York is a coalition of concerned citizens in rural Columbia County, New York in strong opposition to the Hecate Shepherd’s Run Solar Project – a proposed 215-acre, 42 MW industrial-size solar installation to be sited in Copake, NY.
The project is wrong for Copake, wrong for Columbia County and wrong for New York State. It sprawls over 700 acres in the middle of the Taghkanic Creek Watershed, potentially threatening the sole source of Hudson’s drinking water. It will clear cut forest near the Rheinstrom Hill Audubon Sanctuary. It will take threatened species habitat, and occupy many acres of prime agricultural land. A brushfire on the site could engulf the adjacent Taconic Hills Regional Schools in smoke.
The project was already rejected once by ORES, the NY State permitting authority, in February, 2024, after 60 acres of the project site were sold to a new landowner.
But Hecate is back.
On December 23, 2024, Hecate reapplied to ORES, for a new permit to build a slightly smaller 42 MW facility at the same location.
In February, 2025 ORES deemed the new application Incomplete and asked Hecate to remedy 60 Deficiencies. Hecate’s response is expected in May, 2025.
Shepherd’s Run’s impact on the Taghkanic Watershed, Copake’s economy and the environment remains unacceptable. Sensible Solar for Rural New York continues to oppose to this inappropriate and unnecessary project.
See our comment to ORES regarding many more significant deficiencies in Hecate’s permit application HERE.
See our comments on their recent promotional brochure HERE.
Shepherd’s Run is opposed by all our local elected officials including State Senator Michelle Hinchey (click HERE for letter) and Assemblymember Didi Barrett (click HERE for letter.) Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson has also weighed in HERE.
Copake was featured in a January 6, 2024 podcast on Reveal News about rural communities pushing back against large-scale solar development. Click HERE to see the article and listen to the podcast.
See the latest updates on this project AND most importantly, how you can help, by clicking below:
Latest Updates on the Project |
Action Steps & Key Message Points |
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Updated map of the proposed Shepherd’s Run solar facility is shown below.
Areas outlined in black represent areas of solar panels that will be fenced in.
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