As New York pursues climate objectives, conservationists raise alarm about solar project’s impact

 As New York State works towards ambitious renewable energy goals set by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, there is significant tension between conservationists and state regulatory authorities. The Grassland Bird Trust (GBT) has raised serious concerns about the Fort Edward solar project and its potential negative impacts on protected bird habitats.

• Climate Goals: New York aims to reduce emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2040 and 85% by 2050, with all electricity to be zero-emissions by 2040.

• Solar Project Overview: The Fort Edward solar project spans approximately 1,800 acres, with solar panels covering about 567 acres. GBT argues that the project threatens the habitats of more than a dozen bird species in a Wildlife Management Area.

• Conservationists' Concerns: GBT board members Terry Griffin and Kathy Roome claim that the project will negatively impact grassland birds, including the endangered short-eared owl. They are advocating for a 1-to-1 mitigation policy to offset the land used for solar panels, which they believe is essential for the conservation of these species.

• Public Involvement Challenges: The GBT was denied party status, preventing them from formally participating in discussions regarding the project. Their appeal for this status is based on concerns that their feedback has been ignored, with limited engagement from the state regulatory authority, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES).

• Limited Mitigation Impact: Current state law mandates mitigation only for 216 acres of the impacted 567 acres. GBT argues this is insufficient and does not meet the needs of the threatened species, emphasizing that the birds require wide-open grassland to thrive.

• Public Hearing Responses: Although a public comment hearing was held, with most attendees opposing the project, conservationists feel this input was disregarded as simply a bureaucratic formality. They describe the process as "theater" without real consideration of public opinion.

• Agency's Response: ORES stated that they cannot comment on the matter while GBT appeals the denial of party status. They assert that public feedback can lead to project changes, but conservationists dispute the effectiveness of these processes.

• Siting Denials: Other organizations, like the American Land Rescue Fund, have faced similar challenges in gaining party status and expressing concerns. They too have been unsuccessful in communicating effectively with ORES.

• Renewable Energy Conflicts: New York’s aggressive renewable energy agenda is likely to lead to more conflicts over land use, given that wind and solar energy are land-intensive. Since the climate act's enactment in 2019, 32 projects have been rejected in the state.

• Current Challenges: Reports indicate that New York is lagging in meeting climate goals, particularly in renewable energy generation. Energy prices in the state have risen significantly since the enactment of the climate law, leading to criticism from various stakeholders, including media outlets like The Washington Post.

There is growing concern among conservationists regarding the impact of the Fort Edward solar project on bird populations and habitats. The denial of party status to environmental groups reflects larger issues in New York's regulatory processes surrounding renewable energy development. As the state pursues its climate objectives, the challenge remains to balance these ambitions with environmental protection and community input to avoid exacerbating existing conflicts over land use and conservation.

https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/energy/new-york-pursues-climate-objectives-conservationists-raise-alarm-about-solar