Exercising Caution with Large-Scale Solar Leases  to Protect Area Farmers and Other Large Land-Owners

Monday, April 4, 7 – 9 p.m.

Rosendale Community Center, 1055 Rt. 32, Rosendale, NY 12472 (near pool).

 

The NYS Public Service Commission has made the transition to Distributed Renewable Generation (DRG) the centerpiece of its Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) proceedings and Governor Cuomo has called for 50% renewable energy generation in New York by 2030.  While it is urgent and important to install renewables as the backbone to the emerging green energy economy, large landowners are being offered seemingly lucrative long-term leases (as much as $1,000 – $2,000 per acre per year), but which run the risk of stripping landowners of virtually all their property rights.  This forum, sponsored by the Ulster County Climate Smart Committee, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, Citizens for Local Power and many others, features attorneys, assessors, and other resource people who can advise farmers and other large landowners how to protect themselves – and what alternatives are available if they chose to develop large-scale solar on their property. This event is free and open to the public.  Please pre-register at:  www.surveymonkey.com/r/solarleases   For further information:    or .

 

Agenda:

• Welcome:  Jen Metzger, Rosendale Councilwoman and Co-Director of Citizens for Local Power (CLP).
• Overview:  Steve Mogel, Esq., an attorney from Sullivan County with expertise in large-scale solar lease issues.
• Update on Zoning and Related Issues:  David Church, AICP, Commissioner of Planning, Orange County, and Meister Consulting
• Tax Implications:Thomas Jackson, Director of Ulster County Real Property Tax Service Agency, and Michael Dunham, Assessor, Towns of Rosendale, Marbletown and Rochester.
• Alternatives to Solar Lease Offers; Community Solar, DRG, etc.:  Susan Gillespie, President of the Board, CLP
• Q & A Panel: With all presenters, plus Dick Riseling of Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development.   Moderated by Ulster County Legislator Manna Jo Greene, Chairman of Ulster County Climate Smart Committee.

 

Sponsors:  Ulster County Climate Smart Committee, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens for Local Power, Hudson Valley Regional Council Sustainability Committee Energy Working Group, Orange County Planning Department, Rondout Valley Growers Association, Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development, Sustainable Hudson Valley, Ulster County Planning Department, Ulster County Real Property Tax Service Agency, and the Ulster County Association of Town Supervisors and Mayors.