Please post a comment so New York State knows to reject
the Shepherd’s Run Solar Project

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 near New York State Route 23, Route 7 and Route 11A in Craryville and Copake, NY. 

The project is wrong for Copake, wrong for Columbia County and wrong for New York State.  Adjacent to the Taconic Hills Central School, 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 that adjoins the Rheinstrom Hill Audubon Sanctuary and take many acres of prime agricultural land.

A year ago, 60 acres of the project site  were sold to a new landowner who does not intend to lease it to Hecate. At that time, Hecate’s pending application to ORES, the New York State permitting agency, was rejected.

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.

Its impact on the Taghanic Watershed, Copake’s economy and the environment remain unchanged. New York has alternatives for renewable energy production. Sensible Solar for Rural New York remains opposed to this inappropriate and unnecessary project.

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.) 

Copake was featured in a January 6, 2024 podcast on Reveal News about rural communities pushing back against large-scale solar development.

See the latest updates on this project AND most importantly, how you can help, by clicking below:

Latest Updates on the Project CLICK HERE

Action Steps & Key Message Points CLICK HERE