“Speak out tonight on new solar law
Tonight (June 10) at 7 p.m., the town of Duanesburg will hold public hearings for the Solar Energy Facilities Law, Local Law 1 of 2021 and for the Commercial Event Venues Law, Local Law 2 of 2021.
Local Law 1 will repeal and replace the solar law adopted in 2016. September 19, 2019, the Planning Board approved a controversial Special Use Permit for Eden Renewables’ construction of two 5-MWac solar arrays covering 65 acres at 13590 Duanesburg Road.
In January 2020, a six-month solar moratorium was adopted.
The draft solar law fails to provide communitywide notification. The 2001 Telecommunications Facilities Law requires a 32 square-foot notification sign be erected at the proposed site at time of application. The draft solar law also does not restrict size and number of solar power plants. This may allow residential parcels to be completely surrounded by multiple solar facilities.
Because a separate battery storage payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement is not required, the town may lose revenue.
The draft solar law does not include checks and balances with the Town Board. The largest land use in the town, most expensive construction project, and possibly largest tax revenue source should also have Town Board approval to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
Please request copies of the proposed laws and submit written comments to the town clerk at: [email protected]. Speak at tonight’s virtual public hearing by logging into Zoom as described on the town website duanesburg.net.
Susan Biggs
Quaker Street”
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Biggs, Susan. Schenectady Gazette 10 June 2021.