Hecate Energy reapplies to build 42MW solar project in Copake

Farmland vista where the proposed 42 megawatt Shepherd’s Run Solar Farm is planned along Route 23 at the entryway to the rural hamlet of Copake.
Photo by John Coston
Farmland vista where the proposed 42 megawatt Shepherd’s Run Solar Farm is planned along Route 23 at the entryway to the rural hamlet of Copake.
COPAKE — Hecate Energy LLC has filed its intent to construct a major solar energy facility after months have passed since the Chicago-based company last June stated it would reenter the application process.
The filing of intent by Hecate, made on Dec. 19 with the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, was followed three days later by filing of its application.
The timing — two days before Christmas — was criticized by the Town of Copake in a motion it immediately filed requesting the state reject Hecate’s filing.
The Shepherd’s Run project has a years-long history. Last spring, following the state’s rejection of Hecate’s application for the Shepherd’s Run project, the company said it would refile its application “on or about June 3.” In the months have which passed, town officials and residents have been anxiously awaiting any development. The suspense in the intervening months was chronicled in a monthly newsletter written by Richard Wolf, Copake’s Town Supervisor.
In December, he wrote “...It’s been seven months and counting since Hecate Energy announced its intention to file a new application to construct a 42-megawatt facility on more than 200 acres of prime farmland in Craryville. Rumor has it that Hecate intends to file a new application before the end of the year, although they haven’t told us about their plans.”
Shepherd’s Run is a proposed solar project near the intersection of Routes 23 and 7. It originally was designed as a 60-megawatt facility but was scaled down after the company lost control of a parcel of land that was integral to the original design.
In its motion filed with the state, the town wrote: “The Town of Copake hopes that Hecate’s surprise announcement to file its application on December 23 is not intended to deprive the public of meaningful opportunities for participation in this proceeding. “
Two local groups opposed to the project joined in opposition to the latest Hecate filing. Sensible Solar of New York noted in a letter that the “lengthy delay, followed by filing two days before Christmas, is yet another example of Hecate’s bad corporate character and ongoing disregard for public involvement in the siting process.”
The Birch Hill Road Neighbors Association in Craryville wrote: “Applicant’s decision to file its application including 247 documents on December 23, 2024, during the busy holiday season, further reduces the already limited window of time for residents to consider funding requests and organize representation.”
Attempts to reach Hecate for comment were unsuccessful.
An associate counsel at the state Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission noted that Hecate had filed a 60-day notice of intent on March 28, 2024. Referencing Hecate’s latest three-day notice, and asking that the town’s motion be denied, the counsel wrote: “It has not been the practice of the Office to require Applicants to refile a 60-Day Notice if the 60 days has elapsed before the application has been filed.”
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 “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.