Copake solar project draws opposition from legislators

Hecate Energy’s Matt Levin, center, discusses detail of the Shepherd’s Run project with Copake residents who attended an open house on April 3, 2024, in Hillsdale.
John Coston
Hecate Energy’s Matt Levin, center, discusses detail of the Shepherd’s Run project with Copake residents who attended an open house on April 3, 2024, in Hillsdale.
COPAKE — The proposal to build a 42-megawatt solar farm is coming into sharp focus this week as state legislators criticize the plan ahead of a decision due from Albany and an announcement from Hecate Energy LLC to hold a virtual open house for residents.
The pros and cons of Shepherd’s Run Solar Farm have been debated since 2017. Last spring the state denied Hecate’s application. In December, the company refiled, triggering a 60-day period for the state to respond. That clock runs out on Friday, Feb. 21. Hecate will hold its virtual open house on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m.
In the weeks since the new filing, comments for and against have been submitted by residents, groups, and recently by state legislators.
State Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-41, who chairs the Agriculture Committee, wrote to Zeryai Hagos, executive director of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting, ORES, on Feb. 12, stating: “I have followed this issue closely over the past few years, and not only does this project pose significant risks to our environment and water supply, I believe Hecate has acted in bad faith throughout the process.
“It is hard for me to understand why ORES is still going through the review process with a proposal it has already found to be flawed and worthy of dismissal,” she wrote.
State Assemblymember Didi Barrett, D-106, who chairs the Energy Committee, wrote to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Feb. 5, expressing concerns “of many of my constituents, including the Town of Copake leadership.” Barrett noted to the governor that this was her third letter concerning the project since Hochul took office.
“It has been my experience that from the outset,” Barrett wrote, “Hecate has failed to act in good faith, neither communicated with or addressed the concerns of the Town leadership and community as a whole.
“As an example, the newest application still does not reflect the recommendations of the community-wide Craryville Gateway Working Group, which I served on for several years. The application also fails to take into consideration the Department of Environmental Conservation’s newly enacted wetland regulations.”
In her letter, Barrett quoted Hochul, who in a 2023 veto message said: “It is incumbent on renewable energy developers to cultivate and maintain strong ties to their host communities throughout the planning, siting, and operation of all large-scale projects.”
Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson wrote about concerns the city’s Common Council cited in October 2024 about the safety of Hudson’s water supply. The Hudson Council adopted a resolution in opposition of the Shepherd’s Run project siting on the watershed of Taghkanic Creek, which supplies 100% of the water for the city.
“Unfortunately, we have not seen any evidence that the protection of the Taghkanic Watershed, and thus, Hudson’s water supply, or compliance with 10 NYCRR 109.1, has been addressed in Hecate’s application to ORES,” Johnson wrote. “We do not consider platitudes by the developer promising to rely on an Environmental Monitor (which Hecate appoints) to ‘promote avoidance of unpermitted wetland impacts’ a substitute for guaranteed assurances that no harm will come to Hudson’s water. We can point to examples of instances where water supplies have been negatively impacted by solar facilities, and if there’s even a chance that could happen to Hudson, it must be seriously addressed BEFORE any permit is issued.”
Sensible Solar for Rural New York, a group of citizens, this month reiterated its opposition to the project. Sara Traberman, of Sensible Solar, wrote: “It is clear that Hecate’s application fails to address extremely important potential impacts of this project, including wetland damage, risks to Hudson’s drinking water, and fire risks to the nearby Taconic Central School and Audubon Rheinstrom wildlife sanctuary. ORES should not grant it a permit.”
Friends of Columbia Solar, whose members are residents of the community who support Shepherd’s Run,has submitted supporting comment on the ORES website. Following Hecate’s refiling of the application, Dan Haas, representing the group, wrote:“What’s needed now is not more pointless delays, but as quick a start as possible towards the completion of a solar facility that will benefit not only the Town of Copake but, given the urgency of climate action, the planet Earth as well.”
The project has drawn more than 200 comments filed on the ORES website.
Hecate’s Matt Levine, senior director of development, said the newly submitted application includes changes based on community feedback. Some of them are: excluding battery storage; native tree and shrub planting to minimize sightlines for neighbors; extending and connecting local hiking trails and recreational and education opportunities; providing for sheep grazing and several other priorities discussed with residents.
Levine also stated in an email: “Hecate is committed to ensuring the Shepherd’s Run Solar Farm is built in way that preserves and protects the natural resources of Copake and the surrounding community. After extensive reviews covering every aspect of the project’s impact on the Taghkanic Creek Watershed, it is clear that building Shepherd’s Run will actually improve water quality — especially compared to current land use — as Troy Weldy from the Columbia Land Conservancy noted in a presentation to the Conservation Advisory Council in Hudson earlier this month.
“As our permit application moves forward, we will continue to engage with the community to ensure their concerns are incorporated so we can build a project that helps New York meet its clean energy goals while preserving and protecting the natural beauty of Columbia County. As I said in my letter to the community, the project has already been greatly improved by incorporating the feedback we have heard along the way.”
Town of Copake Supervisor Richard Wolf, who has regularly posted solar updates on the town’s website, updated the status at a Feb. 13 board meeting. In an interview he criticized Hecate.
“This belated invitation to a virtual meeting is another example of Hecate’s lack of engagement with the town, with the town’s people and it’s scheduled for midweek when they well know that weekenders won’t be here and anybody who is working may well not be available, anybody with children may not be available and the fact that they don’t have the courtesy to come and meet with the community in person is another indication of their approach to this entire matter.
“The timing, of course, right at the end of the 60-day period is further evidence,” Wolf said.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The residence at 35 Amenia Union Road in Sharon was damaged after being struck by the Jeep Grand Cherokee around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
SHARON, Conn. — Emergency crews were called Saturday, Oct. 11, to Amenia Union Road in Sharon for a report of a vehicle into a building with entrapment.
Connecticut State Police reported Charles Teti, 62, was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Amenia Union Road when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle veered across the southbound land and exited the roadway where it struck a tree and home. Airbags deployed.
Teti and front seat passenger Aidan Cassidy, 63, sustained serious injuries. Teti was airlifted to Hartford Hospital and Cassidy was transported by ambulance to Sharon Hospital for treatment.
Back seat passenger Shea Cassidy-Teti, 17, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. Cassidy-Teti was a senior at Kent School. He played on the football and tennis teams.
The residence that was struck is located at 35 Amenia Union Road.
The case remains under open investigation. Witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Lukas Gryniuk at Troop B 860-626-1821.