ORES PROPOSES REVISED DRAFT PERMIT FOR SHEPHERD’S RUN
YOU CAN COMMENT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 9;
ORES TO HOLD A HEARING IN COPAKE SEPTEMBER 14
The Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES), a division of the NYS Public Service Department, responding to deficiencies that have been pointed out in the Draft Permit for Hecate’s Shepherd’s Run project that was issued last November, put out a Revised Draft Permit on August 14, 2026.
Since then there have been a flurry of statements, documents, motions, appeals, denials, and revisions in deadlines for public input.
As of early September, the deadline for public comment on the Revised Draft Permit (HERE) is Wednesday, September 9. You can file a comment HERE.
ORES will hold a hearing in Copake September 14, and must issue or deny a Final Permit by October 19, 2026.
A major problem with the Draft Permit, which came to light through hearings last January, is that the information on wetlands is out of date and incomplete, and therefore not adequate to determine if the project complies with state environmental law. The Revised Draft Permit proposes to deal with these omissions AFTER the Final Permit is issued.
This is not how it is supposed to work! Sensible Solar for Rural New York (SSRNY) urges you to tell ORES that the application should be DENIED because of the inadequacy of the wetland information. Wetland protection should be addressed BEFORE, not after a Final Permit!
SSRNY further urges you to attend the hearing at the Copake Town Hall at 10 AM on September 14. Only Hecate and the Town of Copake will be able to testify; the public can only sit and listen. However we urge you to show your concern about the project, your concern for a fair process, and for the Town’s efforts in opposition, by your presence at the hearing.
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.
On December 23, 2024, Hecate reapplied to ORES, for a new permit to build a slightly smaller 42 MW facility at the same location.
ORES issued a Draft Permit for Shepherd’s Run on November 18, 2025. It held in person hearings in Copake on January 21 and 22, and a virtual hearing on January 27, 2026, at which speakers were overwhelmingly opposed to the project.
ORES then has until October 19, 2026 to decide whether to grant a Final Permit for the project.
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.
Shepherd’s run is opposed by all our local elected officials including Congressman Josh Riley (see letter HERE), State Senator Michelle 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.
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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