Community Voices for Solar
Local press coverage, letters to the editor and public endorsement statements from members of our community
Daily Freeman
December 31, 2018
Rochester supervisor expects solar arrays to go online in 2019
By William J. Kemble
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Town Supervisor Michael Baden anticipates that two solar arrays being constructed to provide 11.2 megawatts of electricity to the town will be one of the bright spots of 2019.
In a telephone interview last week, Baden said some of the power will be dedicated to properties in the region as part of the state Energy Research and Development Authority’s Solar for All program.
“The sites are expected to be operational sometime this summer,” Baden said. “One megawatt of the project will be available to low- to moderate-income people throughout the Central Hudson region.
"We expect sometime in January to be announcing ... the rollout of how residents can sign up to get their power through the community solar project," he said. "We will be announcing that a percentage of Rochester residents will be eligible for discounts on their electricity.”
Voters a year ago gave their blessing to proposals for the town to lease two town properties to Borrego Solar Systems for an estimated $112,000 annually as part of an agreement to develop the solar farms. The solar farms will occupy 24.11 acres of a 67.16-acre parcel at 6140 U.S. Route 209 and 30 acres of landlocked property off Airport Road.
In other matters, Baden said he expects regulations that affect short-term rental properties will be among priority issues for the coming year.
“We continue to review AirBnb concerns that have been raised previously,” he said. “We want to be sure that they are all operated safely ... so that people who are utilizing them know that where they’re staying has proper egress and things like that.”
Baden also said he expects work to be completed in 2019 on a new food pantry adjacent to the town Community Center on Tobacco Road.
“It was something that was started by (former town Supervisor) Carl Chipman after the hurricanes (in 2011),” he said. “In addition ... our community center will become an emergency center, where we will have showers and an emergency generator, heat and air conditioning, bathrooms, and essentially the ability to house a number of people (in) an emergency situation.”
Shawangunk Journal
December 2018
‘Solar For All’ Benefits for Rochester and Crawford
By Rod Bicknell
NEW YORK — If you live in Rochester or Crawford, you may be eligible to subscribe to local solar projects without upfront costs or participation fees, even if you are renting or if your property has only limited access to the sun.
On Monday, December 3, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that a handful of community solar projects in New York State — including those in the Towns of Rochester and Crawford — had been awarded "Solar For All" contracts that will financially benefit local residents.
In Rochester, in addition to payments to the town from Borrego Solar System for solar farms on leased town land, Borrego will devote 1 megawatt of electricity to the Solar For All project thus providing eligible Rochester lower-income households with an opportunity to subscribe to the Rochester/Borrego solar projects at no cost.
In Crawford, Clearway Energy Group’s Crans Mill 2.8-megawatt community solar project, 1 megawatt will be used to provide the no-cost solar subscriptions in Orange and Rockland’s utility territory.
The admission terms for subscribing to Solar For All in Rochester are remarkably liberal, said town supervisor Mike Baden on Monday evening. The Solar For All project will also allow renters who can’t construct arrays, as well as property owners with limited solar abilities because of geography, to subscribe.
Solar For All subscriber benefits, utilizing funds originating from Borrego and Crans Mill electricity, are expected to appear as ten percent discounts on utility bills.
Baden said that the announcement had come somewhat as a surprise to him although the program had been much discussed during the town’s negotiations with Borrego. Baden believed that the Solar For All application to NYSERDA had been made by Borrego via Nexamp, a Boston-based company providing solar energy solutions.
Rochester Solar Farms Approved In 2015 Referendum
Approved by a Town of Rochester referendum last year, Borrego is to pay the town an estimated $112,000 annually as part of an agreement to develop solar farms on town property that will produce a combined 11.2 megawatts of electricity a year that will be sold to Central Hudson. Borrego’s agreement with the town calls for annual payments commencing at $10,000 per megawatt and increasing by one percent every year thereafter.
To build its Rochester solar farms, Borrego has leased from the town 24.11 acres of the 67.16-acre parcel at 6140 Route 209 that is currently used as the town’s source of sand, and a second parcel of 30 acres of landlocked unused property off Airport Road near Pine Ridge Lane.
Solar energy currently barely registers as a New York energy resource. According to the New York Independent System Operator, which runs the state’s electric grid, natural gas now dominates and produces 58 percent of the state’s power needs, followed by nuclear at 14 percent, and hydro at 10 percent. Wind and other renewables creep in with 5 percent.
Wean State From Fossil Fuel
Community solar and "distributed generation" systems such as Nexamp Rochester are a part of a large energy program from Governor Andrew Cuomo that is aimed at weaning the state from fossil fuel-based generation and to make the grid more resilient whilst also reducing the state’s negative contribution to climate change.
Incentives from NYSERDA, in the form of direct grants to the solar installations, are provided by ratepayers through the "Systems Benefits Charge," a surcharge that appears on all electric and gas bills.
Proceeds from those fees are then funneled into New York State’s Energy Research and Development Authority, an agency with a $730 million budget and the stated mission of advancing "innovative energy solutions in ways that improve New York’s economy and environment."
The other New York towns awarded Solar For All benefits were Grand Island, Johnston, Mooers, Poughkeepsie, Seneca, and Thompson. About 7,000 power users in total will benefit from the program.
Daily Freeman
December 3, 2018
Town of Rochester, Poughkeepsie part of 'Solar for All' program
By staff
Town of Rochester and Poughkeepsie solar projects are among nine others to receive contracts through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) "Solar For All" program.
As part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $1 billion NY-Sun program, 'Solar For All' offers eligible low-income households the opportunity to subscribe to a community solar project in their area without any upfront costs or participation fees.
In Rochester, a Solar for All contract was awarded to Nexamp Rochester, a 5.6 megawatt community solar project of which 1 megawatt will be used to provide no-cost solar subscriptions in the Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. territory.
In the town of Poughkeepsie, the grant was awarded to Clearway Energy Group, a 3 megawatt community solar project of which 1 megawatt will be used to provide no cost solar subscriptions in Central Hudson territory.
Daily Freeman
February 2, 2018
Town of Rochester residents approve lease of two sites to solar energy company
By William J. Kemble
news@freemanonline.com
ACCORD, N.Y.—Town of Rochester residents have approved proposals to lease two town properties to Borrego Solar Systems.
In Tuesday’s referendums, residents voted:
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513-446 to lease 24.11 acres of a 67.16-acre parcel at 6140 Route 209. The site currently is used as the town’s source of sand and would have to be closed to further mining.
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540-415 to lease 30 acres of landlocked property escribed as being off Airport Road but which actually is closer to Route 209 near Pine Ridge Lane. The agreement would allow solar panels to be installed on most of the parcel.
The results are subject to a final tally that will include 55 absentee ballots and an undetermined number of affidavit ballots.
Town Supervisor Mike Baden said that, if the results hold up, the project will go to the town Planning Board for a special-use permit.
“It is required because it’s an outside company leasing the property,” he said. “It’s not a town project.”
Borrego Solar Systems would pay the town an estimated $112,000 annually as part of an agreement to develop solar farms that would produce a combined 11.2 megawatts of electricity.
The agreement calls for annual payments to the town that begin at $10,000 per megawatt and increase by 1 percent each year.
Baden surmised the 67-vote margin for the first proposition was closer than the 125-vote margin for the second proposition because the sand quarry would be closed. Town officials expect the lease revenues will cover costs needed to pay for sand that will need to be purchased instead of mined.
The reported current costs are $9,950 to mine and prepare the sand, and it will cost an estimated $31,848 if sand has to be purchased.
Baden said part of the agreement with Borrego includes providing a solar electric source to town residents.
Bluestone Press
February 2, 2018 / Vol. 23, Issue 3
Yes, but close, in solar referendum
989 people vote in Rochester’s solar referendum, propositions win by 7% and 13% margins
By Ann Belmont
BSP Reporter
Special elections occur when a referendum has to be voted on at a different time than a regularly scheduled general election. Nothing else is on the ballot but the referendum. As a rule, the vote count is extremely low for these.
“The last special election we had in Ulster County was in July. The turn out was 8 percent,” said Ernest Klepeis, deputy commission of elections in Ulster County. For the solar referendum just held in Rochester, 20 percent of voters cast a ballot, much more than expected.
“We almost ran out ballots!” said Tim Gay, who was the election inspector for the event and has been overseeing elections in the state for many years. “For a town referendum it was extraordinarily high.”
A lot of residents evidently care about this issue. There are still about 30 absentee ballots to be counted; however, neither proposition on the referendum was close enough for 30 votes to change the outcome.
Both propositions received a thumbs-up from the voters, but not a landslide. For Proposition #1: whether to go ahead with Borrego Solar’s plan for a solar array on the site of the town’s sand mine at 6140 Route 209, the count as: yes: 513, no: 446, a difference of only 67 votes. Proposition #2: whether to proceed with the proposed array off Airport Road, received 540 yes votes versus 415 no votes, passing by a margin of 125.
Mike Baden, the new town supervisor, commented, “I am excited for the town and welcome partnering with Borrego solar on these projects. I think the vote was close because the town did not do a good job until recently of sharing information. This was discussed at public Town Board meetings, but those are sparsely attended. I think more information beforehand of what the projects mean, and are, would have answered people’s questions.”
“The leases were signed and approved by the Town Board, subject to a positive vote at the referendum. The next step in the process will be for the Planning Board to review the site plans for the special use permit. The potential impacts to health, safety and community will be reviewed by the board.”
We asked Borrego whether the Rochester project would be affected in any way by the 30 percent tariff imposed by President Trump on foreign-made solar panels (80 percent of panels used in this country are not made in the USA). “The industry has prepared itself so that we can cut costs in other ways and still deliver value to our customers,” answered a Borrego spokesperson. “The project has value in our eyes, even with the teriffs. We’ve already factored potential [tariff costs] in. The lease rate has already been signed and agreed upon.” Will the company be going ahead with similar projects in New York State? “Yes, definitely.”
Shawangunk Journal
Feburary 1, 2018
Harness The Sun
Rochester Votes Yes To Solar Projects
By Rod Bicknell and Chris Rowley
ACCORD—In the end, the Town of Rochester voted in favor of the two solar projects on town property. The unofficial vote totals: on Proposition 1, the Route 209 property with the town Sand Mine on it: 513 Yes to 446 No, and on Proposition 2, for property off Airport Road: 540 Yes to 415 No.
In addition, there are about 55 absentee ballots to be counted, and so the official figure from the board of elections will be different, but even in the unlikely circumstance that all the absentee ballots were in the No category, the referendum would still approve the solar projects.
This caps off a period of elections and division in the town, which will now move forward into the solar energy era. On Sunday, at the Community Center in Accord, a standing-room-only crowd came out for the Solar Information Session.
Newly-elected Town Supervisor Mike Baden opened the session with a slide show explaining the basics of the two proposed Rochester solar arrays — including how voters could vote for or against either array, or both; how the town and its population would benefit from the arrays; and how there’s only a small time-window for the town to benefit from the opportunities currently provided by state tax benefits.
Emilie Flanagan, project developer for Borrego Solar, followed the supervisor with another slide show and described Borrego’s viewpoint including more information on the Rochester contracts and the costs and procedures involved in installing a solar array.
John Wackman of Solarize Hudson Valley described where and how a solar installation could aid an Ulster County town. Andy Lutz then moderated a Q&A, reading questions audience members had written on cards. Ad lib questions were then taken from the audience, including how town residents would be able to gain employment on the solar projects, and the opportunities for local contractors. Some audience members fiercely debated the figures and viewpoints provided by the solar proponents.
Some questions in the Q&A included:
Q. What will the environmental impact of the solar sites be?
A. Emilie Flanagan, project developer for Borrego: “One of our aims is to produce cleaner energy and this applies to all our sites, not just Rochester. So, on our sites we put in plants and undergrowth to encourage butterflies, birds and other wildlife.”
Q. Who is going to get the profit from clear-cutting the sites and from the cut wood?
A. Flanagan: “We would hire a local company/contractor to clear the land. The town would benefit from any sales of the cut wood, including firewood, which the wood would principally be. Borrego is not in the logging business, and we’d join with the town to sell the wood.” Mike Baden: “We’d set up a process to sell the wood.”
Q: What would the estimated average profit to Borrego be of the sale of generated electricity?
A. Flanagan: “Each project of this size in New York generates about 7 million kilowatt hours, so we’re looking at about $420 million a year. But, we are a construction company and make our income only from construction. Electricity profits go only to our stock holders.”
The questions, the undercurrent of anger from opponents, and the optimism of proponents, appeared to reflect the national mood. One older resident said, “It’s all about the money. I’ve lived here for 64 years in the beautiful town of Accord and now I’m seeing money destroy it … There’s so much slime going on ... it’s endless cover up, cover up.” To match this, a younger resident, who has only been in the valley for a few years said, “This will be a win-win for taxpayers and for the environment.”
According to the town, Rochester will receive more than a hundred thousand dollars a year for hosting these two sites, and community members who sign up will join thousands of others in the area who will get their electricity from solar power. Of course, no one will be getting their residential electric power exclusively from these solar projects or from solar power. The power generated goes into the grid, where it simply adds to the power generated by Central Hudson (Fortis) at its conventional power plants. How it all gets billed and paid for is a matter of accounting and record keeping. Other community solar projects, on private land, remain in the planning review process at the Town of Rochester Planning Board, and their progress will be reported on in coming months by the Shawangunk Journal and other media.
Spectrum News Hudson Valley
January 30, 2018 / Posted 11:50 PM
Town of Rochester residents approve controversial solar project
By Spectrum News Staff
Town of Rochester residents voted yes to a controversial community solar project on Tuesday night.
In a close call, residents voted yes on the proposals to put solar panels on two parcels of land.
People for the project say it gives residents a chance to save money on their electricity bill. The town supervisor says they could generate more than $2.4 million from leasing the two properties over the 20-year contract.
Opponents didn’t want the panels that close to their homes.
Times Harold-Record
January 30, 2018 / Posted 9:41 PM
Rochester voters OK leasing land for solar fields
By Richard J. Bayne
ACCORD—Town of Rochester voters approved propositions Tuesday to lease 54 acres of town-owned land to a solar energy company for solar fields. The solar company, Borrego Solar Systems Inc., plans to offer residents utility savings in return for the deal, Rochester Supervisor Mike Baden said.
On Tuesday voters took up two propositions, representing two parcels to be leased to Borrego. One parcel, located along Route 209, is 24 acres. The other, off Airport Road, comprises 30 acres.
The proposition representing the Route 209 parcel was approved 513-446. The other proposition, representing the Airport Road parcel, was approved 540-415. Baden cautioned that Tuesday’s results are unofficial. They must still be certified by the Ulster County Board of Elections. He said there are still absentee ballots and affidavit ballots to be counted.
The leases would be for 20 years, with the possibility of four, five-year extensions. Borrego is to pay the town $10,000 per 11.2 megawatts of power with a 1 percent per year increase in payments. Baden said overall, the town would collect nearly $2.5 million over the life of the deal. Borrego has offices in New York, California and Massachusetts.
Once the results are certified, and if the approvals stand, Baden said he wouldn’t expect the project to get started until sometime next year. Baden, who became supervisor Jan. 1, favors the leases.
A resident, an opponent who lives near the site on Route 209, gathered the signatures to put the leases to permissive referendum.
Spectrum News Hudson Valley
January 22, 2018
By Candace Dunkley
Public forum held on controversial town of Rochester solar project
TOWN OF ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A public forum was held in the Town of Rochester ahead of a controversial vote on a community solar project.
Residents will decide Tuesday on whether the town should put solar panels on two pieces of land in the town.
On Sunday the Town of Rochester Democratic committee held a public forum so that the town supervisor and others involved with the project could answer questions from residents.
Those against the project said among other things they are concerned whether the town accurately estimated the costs associated with the project and the environmental effects of clearing forest area.
Project supporters said the two parcels of land will generate $112,000 in revenue per year from leasing the properties.
The Marbletown Environmental Conservation Commission has reviewed and supports the two Town of Rochester Solar Lease Projects for which there is a Town of Rochester referendum on January 30, 2018. We urge our neighbors in the Town of Rochester to vote “Yes” on Proposition #1 and #2 on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at the Accord Firehall. Turnout is crucial, so even if you don't live in Rochester, please pass this message on to people who do!
Both of these solar projects, if approved, will be a major step forward in our greater Rondout Valley towards a clean energy future. Our local communities must take up the mantle of environmental responsibility and protect our climate. Regarding Proposition #2, we believe that clear-cutting 27 acres of post-agricultural forest is a reasonable sacrifice for the greater good created by removing 7,300 MWHs (7,300,000 kilowatt hours annually) of fossil fuel generation and replacing it with clean solar.
Marbletown Environmental Conservation Commission
From: Tom Konrad <tomkonrad@gmail.com>
Date: Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:30 AM
To: "MarbletownECC@gmail.com" <MarbletownECC@gmail.com>
Subject: Please Vote YES in Rochester Community Solar Referendum
Dear friends,
We (Marbletown ECC) are writing to urge you and those you know to vote YES next Tuesday on both solar projects being considered by the Town of Rochester, and to share news our Climate Reality event earlier this month. First, here is our formal statement regarding the solar projects:
1. Marbletown ECC Statement on Rochester Community Solar Referendum
The Marbletown Environmental Conservation Commission has reviewed and supports the two Town of Rochester Solar Lease Projects for which there is a Town of Rochester referendum on January 30, 2018. We urge our neighbors in the Town of Rochester to vote “Yes” on Proposition #1 and #2 on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at the Accord Firehall. Turnout is crucial, so even if you don't live in Rochester, please pass this message on to people who do!
Both of these solar projects, if approved, will be a major step forward in our greater Rondout Valley towards a clean energy future. Our local communities must take up the mantle of environmental responsibility and protect our climate. Regarding Proposition #2, we believe that clearing the new-growth trees is a small sacrifice for the greater good of displacing fossil fuel generation with clean solar.
Please vote yes on Tuesday! The Accord Firehall is at 22 Main St, Accord, NY 12404.
2. Background: Town of Rochester Community Solar Projects Questions and Answers:
After nearly two years of researching these two projects, the Town of Rochester has created a "Q and A" document available on the town website. For example, it specifies that sand (Prop. #1 site currently provides sand for the town) would be mined very close by, either in Accord or right on Route 209. No trees would need to be cut for Prop #1 site.) Got questions? Here is the URL:
http://townofrochester.ny.gov/files/2018/01/ToRSolarInformation_FINAL.11x17printablewebsite.pdf
You can also find analysis and opinions from local leaders on the Community Solar project facebook page and project website.
3. Climate Realities and Hope in the Hudson Valley
A standing-room only crowd of 103 people packed Marbletown's Community Center on Wednesday, January 3rd to hear and see a moving presentation by Tim Guinee of the Climate Reality Project. Guinee, a Marbletown resident and actor, shared powerful slides which conveyed both the escalating climate chaos of intense hurricanes, fires, floods, mudslides, heat waves and sea level rise and the rapidity with which we could and should adopt renewable energy, energy efficiency, and zero waste solutions.
Jon Bowermaster, filmmaker, ocean defender, creator of "Dear Governor Cuomo" and "Dear President Obama"; Tom Konrad, chair of Marbletown ECC; and Riverkeeper's Jeremy Cherson joined Tim in a panel afterwards. Kathleen Nolan explained why we all must oppose the fracked gas power plant in the Town of Ulster (called "Lincoln Park Grid Support Center") to protect our air and climate, as a concrete local way we can contribute to stopping the fracked gas infrastructure buildout (since fracked gas is worse than coal for climate in the 20 year timeframe) in New York State. MannaJo Greene signed everyone in, and Marbletown's new supervisor, Rich Parete, drew applause when he commented from the audience that he's in favor of banning plastic bags, a stance Marbletown ECC has taken since at least 2015.
Mega shout out to the Rondout Valley Permaculture Meetup for co-initiating, publicizing and co-sponsoring the event!
One question left hanging at the end of the event was whether Marbletown should set a goal of becoming 100% renewable, community-wide, by 2035 or sooner. At least 63 cities, towns, counties and one state have made this commitment already. We will organize an event this spring or summer to invite the broader community to explore this question together with experts in energy efficiency and renewables to support our discussion. An engaged community is an empowered community and when it comes to conservation -- of energy, of healthy ecosystems, of our future -- well, conservation is everybody's business!
The Shawangunk Journal provided excellent and extensive coverage of our Climate Reality event; please see last week's issue, p.5 for the full scoop!
All the best,
The Marbletown ECC: Doug Adams, Iris Marie Bloom, Clare Flemming, Tom Konrad (Chair), Evelyn LaFontaine, Amy Moses, with Town Board Liaison Eric Stewart
PS: You can now follow the Marbletown ECC on Twitter and join our Facebook group to keep up with environmental happenings in Marbletown and beyond.
Shawangunk Journal
January 25, 2018
By Chris Rowley
Rochester Votes On Town Solar Projects
ACCORD – The vote is this coming Tuesday, January 30, and will take place at the Accord Firehouse Social Hall, 22 Main Street, in Accord. The polls will open at 12 noon and close at 9 p.m. All eligible Rochester voters, registered with the Ulster County Board of Elections, may vote. (Absentee ballots will be accepted, call the Board of Elections at 845-334-5470 for more information on those.)
The vote comes after some residents who oppose the two solar propositions collected enough qualifying signatures on a petition to force a public vote.
The issues at stake are a pair of propositions, to be voted on separately. The first would allow the town board to lease 24 acres of town-owned property at 6140 Route 209 (Tax Map parcel 76.1-3-17). A community solar system would be built there on a 20-year lease, with up to four additional 5-year periods extension. The property would generate a rental fee to the town of $10,000 per megawatt DC per year, with a 1% annual increase.
The second proposition, substantially similar to the first, is for 30 acres of town-owned property off Airport Road (Tax Map parcel 69.3-2-41.100). Again, the initial lease term would be for 20 years, the rental fee would be $10,000 per megawatt DC per year, and again there would be a 1% annual increase.
In both cases, the leaseholder would be Borrego Solar System Inc. Borrego takes its name from the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, near San Diego, California, where the firm was founded in 1980. Begun by astrophysicist Dr. James Rickard, the company is headquartered in San Diego and operates in California, Massachusetts and New York. The company claims to operate about 500 megawatts of installed solar capacity, enough to power a city of about 200,000 inhabitants, or 175,000 single family homes.
Among the concerns to be tested in the referendum is the value of the town-owned sand mine on the Airport Road property. The town gets its sand for winter road treatment there. Sand is currently quoted at $5 a ton. The top figure given by current highway superintendent for the cost of sand bought in was $25,000 a season. Proponents of the solar farm estimate $56,000 a year will be paid to the town for rental on each of the properties, for $112,000 a year together, and about $2.5 million over the span of the 20-year leases.
Opponents of the projects cite health and environmental impacts. Jaime Roxby, who lives on property next door to one of the projects says, "I do have safety concerns, I don’t think we know enough about the effect of electromagnetic fields, and I’m also concerned about the longer-term impact of recycling all these solar panels. I don’t think we’re prepared for this boom in recycling that we’re going to need in 20-25 years."
Town of Rochester Supervisor Mike Baden says, "The town board discussed these proposals for close to two years. There are some incorrect numbers being passed around. For instance, the number of households that can sign up for this may run as high as 2,000, which is close to half the town. It is also important to remember that other private property community solar projects are either in the works or will come to the planning board for review. This is an ongoing matter."
Baden also addresses two other issues. "The original discussion was to continue the sand mine and have the solar on just the old landfill area. However, the companies that bid for the project (six of them) all insisted that putting the solar array on the sand mine area was preferable, and offered much greater revenue for the town."
"Then, regarding dismantling and removal of the arrays, should that be required in 20 years’ time, it’s important to note that all those costs are the responsibility of the company, and that that is enforceable by contract. The town is protected and is not entering into his blindly. Finally, the actual site plan will go through the planning board review process in accordance with town solar law, which addresses impacts of health and safety."
Ahead of the January 30 vote, there will be a public information session on Sunday, January 28, concerning the solar projects, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Community Center at 15 Tobacco Road in Accord.
Daily Freeman
Jan. 25, 2018 / Posted: 01/25/18, 8:12 AM EST
Letter to the editor
By Sherri Chachkin
LETTER: Facts and evidence should guide Rochester voters on solar array referendum
Dear Editor:
As one of the five Rochester Town Board members in 2017, I voted to enter into lease contracts with Borrego Solar for two large solar arrays on town property because I believed—and still believe—that the community solar installations are in the best interests of the town and its residents.
Others have explained in letters and ads in local media why this is so. The best and fullest explanation is an extensive brochure prepared by town Supervisor Mike Baden and made widely available to the public on the town website and at Town Hall. This document refutes the claims made by those opposed to the projects—loss of the town’s sand mine, radiation, detrimental visual impacts, etc.—with real facts and references to the sources of those facts.
Photo: The Rochester Town Hall in Accord, N.Y.
PHOTO BY TONY ADAMIs.
As a former reporter and lawyer, I have great respect for facts and evidence. If Rochester voters are satisfied to rely on the bald assertions devoid of facts and evidence of some who are urging a “no” vote in the Jan. 30 special election, it is their right to do so.
If, however, voters prefer to be well-informed, they should read the town’s brochure and even do their own research. They can talk to their Town Board members; talk to Highway Superintendent Tony Spano, who knows about the sand mine issue; talk also to leaders of the “Vote No” campaign.
Then voters should decide who is credible and who relies on facts and evidence.
Sherry Chachkin
Town of Rochester, N.Y.
This piece was also published in the Shawangunk Journal on January 25, 2018.
Shawangunk Journal
Jan. 25, 2018
Letter to the editor
By Steven L. Fornal
Research The Facts On Solar
I just had to comment on the paid advertisement re VOTE NO SPECIAL ELECTION as it regards the Town of Rochester's community solar project.
Those opposed to the placement of solar arrays have made their opinion known at Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings. They have commented at length on Facebook. There is a sign on the property of Skate Time 209 claiming, "Vote no on Solar—Save the Kids—Save the sand mine —Save the trees". That is consistent with charges of solar radiation causing injury or death of neighbors; of glare blistering the paint of houses surrounding the sites; of increasing the heat on surrounding properties to levels of paved parking lots during hottest days of summer; of lowered property values; that the Town Board is lying; that the Town Board did everything behind closed doors; that the figures produced re revenue and cost of sand are bogus; that the sand mine at one site will be lost; that the cost of decommissioning could approach $2.2 million; that because of previous Town Board's failure to legally notice the projects correctly forced those opposed to have to "run all over town" collecting signatures; etc etc etc.
They also paid for an ad in the Shawanagunk Journal hinting at some of the same things: "backdoor deal"; "used car salesmen tactics"; "save the trees"; "ecosystem danger".
How sad. While being concerned is understandable, the outright distortions with which they've flooded social media outlets and spewed at public meetings-- even as they charge dishonesty of government officials --is not understandable, nor acceptable.
These antis are basically those people that have become quite accustomed to having the wide open expanses of 24 and 30 acre vacant parcels that are Town owned properties providing a very fortunate situation, viz., owning small parcels but having the benefit of large parcel existence.
True, the previous Town Board neglected to correctly provide the necessary permissive referendum statement in the legal notice. It was brought to their attention and they did the legal notice over with the proper mention. That meant residents had an opportunity to challenge these projects via collecting petition signatures of 5 percent of the vote in the last gubernatorial election. Had the previous town board correctly done the notice the first time, those opposed would still have had to collect the necessary amount of valid signatures to force a vote.
Those signatures were collected and a vote is being held on 30 January 2018, noon to 9:00 PM. People should know that this vote could cost the town somewhere around $4,500 to conduct.
But, what about the claims made by the anti-solar folks?*
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There is no health impact due to radiation; people receive more radiation from cell phones and even by simply being out in the sun than from solar arrays.
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Any glare that might occur will be brief-- typically less than 10 minutes --and does not transfer heat to house siding so that paint will blister; remember, solar panels are manufactured to absorb sunlight, not reflect it.
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The town's Planning Board is well aware of the need to screen the arrays from surrounding properties.
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Solar panels themselves may hold heat but that heat doesn't migrate to neighboring properties as heat rises.
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The proposed solar arrays will offset carbon emissions from fossil fuel sources by 6,000 acres of forest for one year, so the trees felled (by local companies) will be well worth it.
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There is no study I'm aware of (and I've researched this quite a bit) that shows devaluation of properties due to such solar arrays.
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The stated cost for sand as put forth by anti-solar folks are inflated by as much as 200 percent ($15 per ton vs actual figure of $5). The town has put out a data sheet using REAL costs involved culled from actual costs and sand use.
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The town sand mine will not be eliminated; it will be closed but ownership remains with the town. Reopening a municipal sand mine is not a big deal and the cost for reopening will be essentially paid for by Borrego as will the decommissioning costs. (The $2.2 million figure used by an anti-solar person who provided an article to back up claim was about a solar panel manufacturer from 15 years ago that left a toxic mess to clean up; solar panels currently being manufactured, upon completion, are not toxic).
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And as for the "backdoor deal" charge, the previous Town Board discussed the issue of Community Solar projects at public meetings for 21 months; said issue was listed on the agendas available on the town website; it was repeatedly reported on by both local newspapers for nearly two years.
But it must be stated in regards to the paid ad in the SJ, while spewing unsavory charges at the Town Board of lying and conducting itself with less than honest intent, the anti-solar folks have never provided ANY information/data to back up ANY of their claims.
The anti-solar folks then misstate the reach of the community solar aspect by saying 1,000 people will get a 10 percent credit on their monthly electric use when it's up to 1,000 residences (low to moderate income households when NYSERDA comes through with a program to delineate those potential beneficiaries). But the next line is most egregious of all: "how does everyone else benefit?"
Funny they left out the revenue coming into the town in addition to helping low and moderate families. That income AFTER PAYING FOR SAND will be approximately $1.76 MILLION over the 20 year lease; even more should a future Town Board decide to extend the lease (up to four five-year periods).
That's $1.7 6 MILLION that won't have to be raised in taxes.
It would appear the anti-solar folks are the ones misinforming, lying, not being up front with ALL the facts.
We, in the Town of Rochester need to evolve. We cannot keep whining about how our kids don't have anything here to keep them around. You want a vibrant economy? Can't be done without change. These solar projects are safe, environmentally sound, will help the less fortunate and bring in $2.46 MILLION of revenue to the town. And maybe just bring us into the 21st century.
Get out to vote. And, when you do vote, make sure you're voting based on facts rather than hysterical fictions.
*Emphasis through bold and highlighted text has been added by RochesterSolarProject.com.
Bluestone Press
January 19, 2018
Vol. 23, Issue 2
By Lindsey Rose Arnold
Letter to the Editor
VOTE YES on solar farm referendum
To the Editor: I am writing to urge all Town of Rochester citizens to show up Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Accord Fire House Social Hall and vote YES! On the Permissive Referendum to approve the Community Solar Project.
Having been born and raised in Kerhonkson, and now returned as an adult to own a home and raise my family here, I truly feel this project is an exciting opportunity for the Town of Rochester. Community solar farms are a practical way for municipalities like ours to utilize non-agricultural land—producing environmentally safe energy that generates revenue the town sorely needs.
Both project sites have undergone significant environmental review and been determined to pose no substantial negative impact.
While developing the solar farm sites will involve a transition from mining our own town’s winter sand supply to importing it, the increase in the town revenue by over $100K per year from the solar farm’s land lease contracts far outweighs the change in sand costs. The Town Board has prepared a detailed fact sheet that answers many questions, available at www.townofrochester.ny.gov.
I believe this project will benefit all residents of the town, regardless of political party and income level.
Neighbors, please participate in seizing the moment to improve the Town of Rochester’s immediate and long-term future. Do your research and vote YES on both measures of the Community Solar Project referendum Tuesday, Jan 30, noon-9 p.m. at the Accord Fire House Social Hall!
Lindsey Rose Arnold
Accord, NY
Bluestone Press
January 19, 2018
Vol. 23, Issue 2
By Rick Jones
Letter to the Editor
Solar power makes good sense
To the Editor: On Jan. 30 a very important vote will take place at the Accord Firehouse between the hours of noon and 9PM. I am asking you to go and vote yes on whether or not the Town of Rochester should be allowed to lease two Town-owned sites for solar arrays. The details of the project are contained in a fact sheet from the town if want more details. The most convincing reasons for voting yes are economic as well as to replace fossil fuels with alternate sources of energy. Let me summarize; you decide:
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Two separate solar projects are being developed and both are up for vote. They will be decided separately. One is the sand mine behind the site of the old Rainbow Diner, and the other is by the landfill on Airport Road.
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Both sites are owned by the Town of Rochester. The vote will give the town permission to lease the sites for 20 years at $56,000 a year, for a total of $112,000 a year—over $2,000,000.
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The sand mine will not be usable for 20 years and so the Town will have to buy sand for winter sanding. Netting the cost of operating the mine versus the cost of buying sand there is a cost of $22,000 a year. Subtracting this from $56,000 a year in lease payment for this site, the town’s net for solar on the mine is $34,000. This, plus the $56,000 for the other site we would like to lease is a net income number of $90,000. Over 20 years you can see how this multiplies as money to offset taxes.
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The second site will require the clear-cutting of 30 acres of trees on Town land. I am an avowed tree-hugger. Solar vs trees is a tough choice. On the other hand, $56,000 a year for land just sitting there that could be turned into revenue—I am in for solar. The amount of solar that will be generated is enough to offset the same amount of carbon emissions that would be absorbed by 6,000 acres of trees in one year. We are “only” cutting 30 acres of otherwise unused land. Forested land has value when it is just “there,” but in this case, it will allow dollar development and create a revenue stream to the town.
So, 1 through 4 is what I call the value proposition. Are we willing to turn the sand mine and unused treed spot into $112,000—less the net cost of buying sand of $22,000 for a total benefit of $90,000 a year? I am.
Now for some concerns expressed elsewhere:
Solar will burn off the siding on your home—no! Sun’s energy is absorbed not projected like a magnifying glass
Solar hurts kids playing in their backyard—how? If anything solar will ensure a stable climate in the long run—certainly beyond my years—benefiting generations to come.
Non-ionizing radiation? Global studies support the fact that “electromagnetic waves” are at a level no great than the level of the earth’s own magnetic field and certainly less than your cell phone. The highest amount of radiation comes from the inverters. Even this is below the levels set as thresholds. And, the inverters are at least 100 feet from anyone’s property line.
The solar panels are an eyesore. Well, there will be shielding in the form of trees all along the perimeter. Do I want to breath fumes from oil fired furnaces or have fossil fuels raising the level of CO2? So, which would I prefer? Solar. It’s one step at a time as we change the technology and adapt to earth friendly energy
Please vote on Jan. 30 at the Accord Firehouse between noon and 9 p.m.
Rick Jones
Town of Rochester
Editor’s note: Rick Jones is also on the Town of Rochester Planning Board vice chair.
*Emphasis through bold and highlighted text has been added by RochesterSolarProject.com.
Bluestone Press
January 19, 2018
Vol. 23, Issue 2
By Carl Chipman
Letter to the Editor
On the proposed solar projects on properties owned by the Town of Rochester
The Town of Rochester has spent significant time over the past two years carefully developing the two solar projects that are to be voted on Jan. 30, 2018. I urge everyone to learn about these two projects—and, based on that, vote “Yes” for them!
These projects, 1) at the town sand-mine behind the old Rainbow Diner and 2) at the Transfer Station site, will bring into the Town approximately $112,000 per year (about $56,000 from each). The Town will have to pay more for sand (about $31,848 instead of the current $9,950)—an increase of about $21,898.
But we would rather get the $56,000 for the Sand-mine lease, pay the extra cost of $21,898, and still clear an extra $34,102 from the deal—along with the $56,000 from the Airport Road site.
That means we could have $34,102 (net, after sand costs from the sand mine site) plus $56,000 from the Airport Road site for a total of $90,128 per year net—rising at 1% per year! These are extra resources that the new Supervisor and Town Board can put to good use. I won’t say that a vote against the projects is a vote for a tax increase, but it comes awfully close.
Concerns have been voiced about clear-cutting 30 some acres of trees on the Transfer Station land. There are some special lands that need to be protected for aesthetic, biodiversity and other reasons. But this is not one of those properties. It already has a methane emitting landfill, a cell tower, and a transfer station, with heavily used Rte. 209 running along one edge at 55 MPH. This is not pristine land. However, this will be almost pristine electricity, generating little to no CO2, NOx or SO2, while also generating sizeable new revenues for the Town.
Finally, there are other benefits from these projects:
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There will be an opportunity for Town residents to buy solar electricity at a price slightly lower than the general market price for solar.
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There is a good chance (but no guarantee) that NYSERDA will provide special funding to help Low to Moderate Income (LMI) families in Rochester participate in buying solar energy.
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The contractor has committed to developing a solar education program with the Rondout School District to help acquaint students with the energy of the future.
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Borrego has committed to keeping local as many of the associated construction and maintenance jobs as possible.
I believe this is one of the best programs we developed under my administration and I hope you will come out and vote for it on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 from 12 noon to 9 pm at the Accord Firehouse!
Here’s to you and to a prosperous Rochester!
Carl Chipman
Rochester
Editor’s note: In case you are new to town, Carl Chipman is the recently retired Town Supervisor.
*Emphasis through bold and highlighted text has been added by RochesterSolarProject.com.
Bluestone Press
January 19, 2018
Vol. 23, Issue 2
By Ann Belmont
BSP Reporter
The referendum: what’s it all about?
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the voters of the Town of Rochester will be making a decision. That is the date of the referendum on whether to go ahead with two community solar projects.
The Town Board has been working on the solar farm idea since April 2016, when the idea was first proposed at a board meeting. The board’s motivation was to make money for the town, and they saw an opportunity to do so by creating renewable energy.
They chose Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. from a half-dozen other companies to come up with a plan to build solar arrays on land leased from the town. The town would collect revenue from the leases, and Borrego would sell the power, giving Rochester residential customers a discounted rate. How many would be able to subscribe? “Approximately 600-1000 per site. It is a complicated formula to accurately determine the number,” answered Mike Baden, town supervisor.
The plans are now on hold. When Borrego brought two applications before the Rochester Planning Board last October, they got as far as the first step—a public hearing—when a group of Rochester residents who attended the meeting that night, unhappy about the plans, decided to file a petition for a referendum. They gathered enough signatures to put the matter to a vote before town residents.
The ballot on Jan. 30 will contain two separate propositions, both with yes or no votes: Proposition 1 concerns a solar farm to be situated on 24 acres owned by the town at 6140 Route 209, the location of the town’s sand mine. Proposition 2 deals with another proposed site off Airport Road—30 acres, mostly forested, near the old landfill.
People’s concerns, as voiced at the Planning Board meeting, were several. Someone whose property adjoins one of the sites did not like the idea of living next door because of the belief that solar panels emit dangerous radiation. Actually, solar panels are not high-voltage.
From freesunpower.com: “A typical panel about 25 inches by 54 inches will only produce about 17 volts at peak output.” A car battery produces “from 13-14 volts when the car is running” (from autobarreries.com). The inverter, which changes the DC current from the panels into the AC current we receive in our houses, is required by the Rochester’s zoning code to be set back far enough from the property line so that any electromagnetism generated by the conversion process is within the safety standards set by the World Health Organization.
However, it is hard to prove that there are absolutely no health effects from electric current, whether from cell phones, power transmission lines, electric car batteries, solar inverters on people’s roofs, computer modems and so on. The WHO website has section called “What are Electromagnetic Fields?” with a very extensive discussion of the subject.
The board required a buffer zone planted with trees around the perimeter of each site and charged Borrego with ensuring that there would be little to no visual impact near roads. People living in close proximity may visualize looking out the window and having a view of solar panels. The Rochester zoning code has a provision stating that evergreens and other planting “shall be provided around all mechanical equipment and solar panel arrays to provide screen from adjacent properties and town, county and state roads.”
There have been objections raised to clear-cutting forested land on the site off Airport Road. Why not just put the panels on top of the landfill, instead of cutting down the trees? Borrego cites economic reasons. The cost of getting the electricity from landfill out to Rout 209, where it would get patched into Central Hudson’s transmission lines, would be very high. Although the land they plan use would largely have to be deforested, Borrego did promise that meadow would be planted under and around the solar panels. Historically, some of the forested land in Rochester is former farmland, as evidenced by stone walls running through many woods; clearing land for a solar farm, then, has a kind of historical precedent. According to Borrego’s contract with the town, the solar company would be responsible for resolving any drainage or erosion issues resulting from taking down trees.
Some people have raised the objection to the sand mine site, in particular shutting down the town’s own working mine and then having to buy sand. Baden, Rochester’s newly elected town supervisor and former chairman of the Planning Board, studied the costs involved in doing this.
“Tony [highway superintendent Tony Spano] and I estimated the time it takes, the man-hours to screen the sand, the screener rental, and the fuel costs,” Baden reported at January’s board meeting. If the town were to buy sand from Mombaccus Excavating on Route 209, he said, the distance the trucks would have to travel would be about the same as from the sand mine, so truck fuel costs would not rise. According to “Community Solar: Questions and Answers,” on the Town of Rochester website (where all the issues raised here are addressed at length), “The $56,000 per year lease payment will both pay for the sand and the Town a net $34,102 profit to be applied against taxes.” The board concluded that it was worth closing the mine.
Community solar arrays are already in use in many towns around New York state. The town of Wawarsing is currently completing construction of a 5-acre solar array on top of an old landfill. Will Rochester be the next one? Do the benefits outweigh the concerns? The people will decide. May their choice be a well-informed one.
Referendum voting will take place from noon-9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Accord firehouse social hall, around the back of the firehouse building on Main Street.
For lots of information on the Jan. 30 referendum propositions, you can go to www.townofrochester.ny.gov.
Daily Freeman
January 26, 2018
Letter to the Editor
Rondout Valley Business Association supports solar referendum
By RVBA Board of Directors
To the Editor: This letter is being written to express support for the Town of Rochester’s referendum on the installation of two (2) solar power farms on town property. We believe that approval of this referendum, which was crafted after nearly two years research and consideration, will provide economic value to the town and its residents while also helping to protect our environment by lessening dependence on fossil fuels.
Richard Travers, Steve Kelley, Gretchen Reed, Melissa Carlile, Lynn Archer, Victoria Coyne, Nik Gerner, Dan Johnson, Denise McCarrol, Sevan Melikyan, Karen Osterhoudt, Dr. Alan Roberts, Tom Smiley, Mike Smith, Tim Sweeney
RVBA board of directors
*This letter was also published in the Bluestone Press on January 19, 2018 and in the Shawangunk Journal on January 25, 2018.
Spectrum News Hudson Valley
January 22, 2018
By Candace Dunkley
Town of Rochester Residents to Vote on Solar Proposal
As one of the five Rochester Town Board members in 2017, I voted to enter into lease contracts TOWN OF ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Town of Rochester residents are preparing for a vote on whether the town should take on a community solar project.
Residents of the town will be able to vote on whether to put solar panels on two separate parcels of land in the town.
Residents against the proposal say they’re concerned the panels would be too close to their homes. They also say they’re concerned about the effects on the environment.
Town representatives said residents who sign up for the project will be able to save on their electricity bill.
Officials also said the two parcels of land will generate $112,000 in revenue from leasing the properties per year.
Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the matter on January 30.