Save Scenic Ancram

07/12/2026

RIC ENERGY WITHDRAWS THEIR SOLAR ARRAY APPLICATION!!

We are pleased to report that on June 17th, RIC Energy, the development company behind Ancram Solar LLC, withdrew their application for the Special Use Permit to construct a ~10 acre commercial solar project in the heart of historic and pastoral Ancram.

Thank you to the over 500 folks who answered our Call to Action in opposing this industrial solar project by signing our Change.org petition, emailing their concerns to the Town of Ancram, visiting
www.SaveScenicAncram.com or attending the monthly Planning Board meetings on this critical threat to our community character and values.

See Withdrawal Request - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0zln9mcbc506fjml1zlfw/AJMK2QBIQ40R_nb1Mh2NHJg/6.17.26%20C.Hopkins%20Withdrawl%20email.pdf?rlkey=39cut46c6pcx3hgdi5vcil6qw&e=2&st=9efdv66b&dl=0

As soon as it is available, I'll share the July 9th 2026 Ancram Planning Board Meeting recording.

The New Pine Plains Herald will also feature an article on this important development - anticipated to be published on July 17th.

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06/04/2026

We at www.SaveScenicAncram.com want to remind you that the Ancram Solar project will be discussed at the Town of Ancram Planning Board meeting tonight, June 4th - 7pm at Town Hall.

From our May meeting, (video is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhJiaHDZK3s - start at timestamp 1:36:15) we understand that two new reports from Town consultants on the visual impact of the array should be ready to discuss.

In the video you'll also hear our attorney explain the many reasons why RIC Energy's application is incomplete and should be denied:
- No Accurate Visual Impact Assessment
- No Compliance with Landscaping Requirements
- No Required Glare Study
- No Decommissioning Plan Addressing Potential Toxicity of Panels
- No Documentation of Utility Notification

If you are concerned about the impact this industrial project will have on the scenic character of Ancram, please plan to attend these important monthly public hearings to make your voice heard!

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02/09/2026

2/5/26 - After a 2 month hiatus, the Ancram Solar project was back on the agenda for the Town Planning Board. The Board was critical of RIC Energy in areas of:
- Absence in RIC plan of pad (vs pole) mounted power lines - required per Town code
- Size and visibility of the construction staging area to support array
- RIC’s lack of legally required screening for several adjacent properties
- RIC’s poor quality/accuracy/completeness of their numerous visual impact assessments

An attorney hired by concerned residents reminded the Board and all present that RIC has established a pattern of making misleading and false statements about the negative impact of their project on the community, and how they are flouting Ancram Comprehensive Plan and solar law provisions designed to protect the Town from inappropriate development.

The public hearing will continue in March.

You can watch the recording of the Solar project discussion (timestamp 20:12 to 51:28) at this link:

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12/07/2025

More community support for www.SaveScenicAncram.com

12/07/2025

It's a banner day today for www.SaveScenicAncram.com!

So far, no Planning Board meeting has been scheduled to address the Ancram Solar Project this December...little progress seems to be had on the expert consultant front - with the Town waiting for RIC Energy to fund both a visual assessment and a landscape study... stay tuned!

11/21/2025

What do you think of our new cover photo?

11/21/2025

The Ancram Planning Board has delayed the next Public Hearing for the Ancram Solar Array. The new date is TBD.

The Thursday, December 4th 7pm session will instead highlight another controversial project, the Homeland Towers/Verizon cell phone tower project planned for the scenic corridor along Route 22. Learn more about this project and read Community Correspondence at

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11/14/2025

Read today's New Pine Plains Herald article on the continuing Public Hearing for the Ancram Solar Array. https://www.newpineplainsherald.org/no-decision-made-on-ancram-solar-array-eighth-public-hearing-scheduled-for-december The full text of Doreen O'Sullivan, Matthew Tuck and Andrea Gaschke's public comments are now posted on www.SaveScenicAncram.com in the "Read Community Correspondence" section.

The Ancram Planning Board made no decision at its meeting on Nov. 6 on the proposed 9.4-acre (originally 9.9-acre) solar array project by RIC Energy, to be built on farmland […]

11/12/2025

The video recording Town of Ancram Planning Board meeting of 11/6 is now available to watch on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eex1Ki-4V3M

At the meeting, RIC Energy continued to encourage the Board to close the Public Meeting and move to vote on their industrial solar project application.

The Planning Board, however, made clear to RIC that the community still has serious concerns about the permit, and the Town's own consultants have not yet begun to study or make recommendations about key elements of the application, including the differing viewshed analyses presented by RIC and Save Scenic Ancram experts at Harkin Aerial, and the landscaping plan put forward by RIC but contested by adjacent neighbors.

New community correspondence continues to be submitted and published - see www.SaveScenicAncram.com for the latest comments and concerns from Ancram neighbors.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.