LATEST UPDATES

UPDATE AS OF January 6, 2025

Sensible Solar put out a media release stating its opposition to the new Hecate Shephard’s Run project application. It highlighted a new Town of Copake Motion to ORES, the state permitting agency, objecting that Hercate had not provided the proper 60-day notice of its intent to reapply.  Hecate’s application, and the Town of Copake Motion, can be viewed HERE. The Sensible Solar media release is available HERE

UPDATE AS OF December 23, 2024

Hecate filed a new application for a permit to build a 42 MW industrial scale solar installation at the Shepherd’s Run site in Copake.  The hundreds of pages of material in the application make it clear that the facility will continue to have huge negative impacts.

UPDATE AS OF October 15, 2024

The City of Hudson Common Council passes a Resolution in Opposition to Proposed Siting of the Shepherd’s Run Solar Project Within the Taghkanic Creek Watershed.  The vote was taken on the recommendation of the Hudson Conservation Advisory Council which discussed the issues with representatives of Sensible Solar on October 1.  See Resolution HERE.

UPDATE AS OF August, 2024

Hecate officials met with several homeowners whose properties are adjacent to the proposed Shepherd’s Run facility, and whose property values would almost certainly be negatively affected. Neither the Town of Copake nor SSNY has received reports of any homeowners accepting any offer from the company.

UPDATE AS OF July 30, 2024

Hecate sent a letter to the Town of Copake informing them of the company’s “continued interest” in Shepherd’s Run, and that it had reapplied to NYSERDA for Renewable Energy Certificates.  These certificates could potentially be worth millions of dollars for the project.  NYSERDA indicates that decisions on Certificates will be announced by the end of September.

UPDATE AS OF April 3, 2024

Hecate held an open house in Hillsdale to advise the community that it would continue to pursue a permit for Shephard’s Run, for a 42MW facility, downsized from 60MW but otherwise essentially unchanged.  Hecate distributed a glossy color brochure describing their plans which SSRNY found to be misleading and inaccurate–see the SSRNY critique HERE.

UPDATE AS OF March 13, 2024

On March 13, Hecate issued a “Notice of Intent to File An Application” for a revised Shepherds Run project.  Hecate has stated it will file an application on June 3, 2024 to build a 42MW solar facility.  Although this is a reduction from their previous plan for a 60MW facility, it is still extremely large.

UPDATE AS OF March 3, 2024

Hecate continues to push forward with building an industrial-scale solar facility in Copake, despite ORES’ rejection of its siting application in January.  Hecate has in fact applied for a state subsidy for the facility through the NYS Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA).  Awards are likely to be announced in April.  Sensible Solar, and organization member Sara Traberman, both filed letters with NYSERDA opposing an award on the grounds that, among other things,  Hecate is ineligible due to the rejection of its siting application.  View the Traberman letter HERE and the SSNY letter HERE.

UPDATE AS OF February 6, 2024

After considering briefs filed by the town, Sensible Solar, Hecate and ORES staff, the ORES Executive Director issued a decision denying Hecate’s application to site a 60 MW solar facility in Copake.  However the application was denied “without prejudice,” which meant that Hecate was free to reapply for a siting permit based on a smaller footprint and start the approval process all over again. Read the decision letter HERE.

UPDATE AS OF January 9, 2024

Just hours before the hearings were to begin, ORES Executive Director grants the Town’s request for an expedited appeal, and postpones the public hearings.

UPDATE AS OF January 8, 2024

State Senator Michelle Hinchey submits letter supporting the Town of Copake’s motion.  Click HERE to read the letter.

UPDATE AS OF January 5, 2024

Sensible Solar submits letter supporting the Town of Copake’s motion.  Click HERE to read the letter.

UPDATE AS OF January 4, 2024

Town of Copake files a motion to submit seeking permission to file an expedited appeal to the ORES Executive Director and appeal of ALJ ruling on Town of Copake Motion to Dismiss Application or adjourn public comment hearing and issues procedure pending major revision to application.  The motion can be read HERE.

UPDATE AS OF January 4, 2024

Administrative Law Judge Maureen Leary denies the Town’s Motion to Dismss in a verbal ruling during during an off-the-record procedural conference conducted via Webex on January 4, 2023.

UPDATE AS OF January 2, 2024

60 acres removed from project due to Hecate’s failure to renew lease, and sale of land.   Hecate never disclosed this development to anyone!

New project map below:

UPDATE AS OF January 2, 2024

Town of Copake files a motion to dismiss the Shepherd’s Run application or adjourn the upcoming public comment hearing and issues procedure pending major revision to the application.   The motion was filed with the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) and can be read HERE

UPDATE AS OF January 2, 2024

60 acres of farmland that was supposed to be part the Shepherd’s Run Solar project has been sold, and the new owner will not be leasing the land to Hecate. Click HERE for more information.

UPDATE AS OF December 28, 2023

This postcard was mailed out with detailed instructions on the in-person hearings and how to REGISTER for them. Hurry, the registration deadline to speak in person is Monday morning, January 8th.

UPDATE AS OF December 21, 2023

A workshop will take place
Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 1:30 PM until 3:00 PM at
Copake Memorial Park building,
350 Mountain View Rd, Copake, NY 12516

Come to our workshop to:

  • Get assistance in registering for the Public Hearings.
  • Find out about the rules of participating.
  • Get informed about the issues surrounding Shepherd’s Run.
  • Get help crafting your public comments.

For more information on this special and important workshop, click HERE to view the email invitation that was published.

 

UPDATE AS OF December 4, 2023

Didi Barrett, Assemblymember for the 106th District, wrote to ORES in order to express her concerns and those of her constituents. Click HERE to view the letter.

 

UPDATE AS OF November 21, 2023

In-person Public Comment Hearings on the Copake Solar Project to be held at the Copake Town Hall on January 9 and 10, 2024.

You must register in advance in order to speak.
It is critical that we pack the hearings and tell ORES representatives why the project is wrong for Copake.  This is our one and only chance to be heard in-person before a final decision is made on whether this project will move forward.  ORES representatives will be there and they NEED to hear from the community. Your voice matters!
Meeting and registration details HERE (and also above in the December 28 update)

UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Senator Hinchey sends letter to ORES outlining threats to Farmland and the Environment by proposed Copake Solar development.  Click HERE for a copy of the letter.

 

UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 7, 2023

Congressman Molinaro sends letter to Governor Hochul, asking her to “ensure ORES decides against granting approval of this project.”  Click HERE for a copy of the letter.

 

UPDATE AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2023

ORES staff published draft permit conditions on October 24, 2023. The draft permit conditions may be accessed at https://ores.ny.gov/permit-applications, click on Project DMM Matter Number 21-02553. Or, you may directly view the document HERE.

ORES Staff Position: “On issuing the draft permit conditions, ORES staff takes the position that the proposed facility, together with the uniform and site-specific standards and conditions contained in the draft permit, would comply with applicable laws and regulations.”

Sensible Solar for Rural New York immediately responded to these events, issuing a statement that may be viewed HERE.

 

UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 30, 2023

Town of Copake issues press release regarding ORES’s Notice of Complete Application.  Read the press release HERE

 

UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 25, 2023

ORES issues Notice of Complete Application.  Read the Notice HERE. ORES now has 60 days to either issue a Notice of Intent to Deny the permit, or a Draft Permit.

 

UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 18, 2023

Senators Hinchey and Harckham send letter to ORES outlining threats to Farmland and the Environment by proposed Copake Solar development.  Click HERE for the link to Senator Hinchey’s press release and HERE for a copy of the letter.

 

UPDATE AS OF JUNE 26, 2023

Hecate files a revised application, their fourth attempt seeking a permit.  Read a summary of Hecate’s responses to ORES’s last Notice of Incomplete Application HERE.

 

UPDATE AS OF MAY 18, 2023

NY Supreme Court dismisses Copake’s appeal.  Read the decision HERE.

 

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 31, 2023

Watch Sensible Solar’s presentation at the March 26, 2023 Climate Act Town Hall held at Columbia-Green Community College, HERE.  For the presentation slides, click HERE.

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 28, 2023

ORES submitted a THIRD Notice of Incomplete Application to Hecate, with 20 pages of issues that Hecate must respond to.  We firmly believe this indicates the site is not appropriate for the project and should be denied by ORES.  Read the notice HERE

 

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 27, 2023

The Town of Copake and the eleven other Petitioners filed an appeal with the Supreme Court Appellate Division against the NY State Office of Renewable Energy Siting. The appeal was heard by the appellate court on March 27, 2023.  The proceedings were recorded and should be available the week of April 3, 2023  on the Court’s webpage: https://www.nycourts.gov/ad3/

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Oral Arguments Archive” in the white box.  This will take you to another page.  Enter the case number 534318 and it should take you to the recording.

 

UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 2, 2022

On August 2, 2022, Plaintiffs filed an appeal to the Appellate Division, Third Department.  Read the press release HERE.  Read the full brief HERE.

UPDATE AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2021

On October 7, the Court issued a final decision and order dismissing the lawsuit brought against the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) by Copake and 12 other plaintiffs over the 94-C siting process for industrial wind and solar facilities.  Read the full decision HERE.

 Since the Court’s decision was made without a hearing or oral arguments, there was no final opportunity for argument, and no party filed a response to the plaintiff’s memorandum of law prepared by Zoghlin (plaintiffs’ attorney).  

The Town of Copake and Sensible Solar for Rural New York are disappointed in the Court’s expedited decision. Plaintiffs are discussing next steps including whether to appeal the Court’s decision. 

In the meantime, Sensible Solar for Rural New York will continue our fight to ensure renewable energy siting is properly advanced in New York State, with full consideration for the environment and the interests of rural communities. We are planning a number of actions between now and the end of the year, and hope Sensible Solar can count on your continued support. Public relations efforts, media and policy-maker outreach, and other advocacy activities cost money, and to that end we hope you will consider making a donation at this time so we can continue our work.