Friends of Columbia Solar

03/21/2022

Progress update!

Residents of a small upstate town were bitterly divided over a planned development — until they weren’t.

10/29/2021

This is big news! Moving away from fossil fuels is essential to achieve NY State's goal of getting 100% of our electricity from renewables by 2040.

A decision to reject upgrades of two gas-powered power plants was a big win for climate advocates and was endorsed by Gov. Hochul.

10/13/2021

WALK FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE 10/17!

This event is organized locally as part of GreenFaith’s worldwide, multi-faith, grassroots effort to raise awareness in anticipation of the UN Climate Change conference.

Sunday, October 17th, 3:00-5:00 PM
Mahicantuck (Hudson) River
RIP Rip Van Winkle Bridge

Join us by registering at the link below and once at the link, click on the RSVP button.
https://oxherders.org/calls-to-action

Details:
We will gather in two groups, one on each end of the bridge (look for Skywalk parking) and assemble at 3:30 P.M for a brief statement of purpose. Walk at 3:50 PM: both groups will begin walking toward the center of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Reflection at 4:15 PM: when both groups connect at the middle, we will stop for a moment of silence followed by the sound of drums, tambourines, and bells. Walk at 4:25: both groups will return to their beginning points. Assemble 4:50 PM: both groups will assemble — one on each end of the bridge — for a brief benediction.

This action is organized locally as part of GreenFaith’s worldwide, multi-faith, grassroots effort to raise awareness in anticipation of the UN Climate Change conference. This is one of many local events planned for Climate Solutions Week in advance of the upcoming UN Climate Change conference. All events can be found at this link: https://www.hvclimatesolutionsweek.org/even

Buddhist Action Coalition of sanghas in the Upper Hudson & Berkshires interconnected through engaged buddhism for social justice, environmental justice, and economic justice.

09/13/2021

"Solar is the only clean way we know of right now to produce large amounts of renewable energy here in Columbia County. To continue to fight the Hecate plan is no longer a good use of public resources."

https://www.columbiapaper.com/2021/09/editorial-time-for-copake-to-decide/

08/02/2021

Shepherds Run is an opportunity for Copake to help cut green house admission. The data is there, green energy saves lives.

Cutting carbon emissions to zero in the next 30 years would save about 74 million lives this century, a new analysis estimates.

07/23/2021

A simple, compelling explanation why electrification is the key to decarbonizing the US by 2050.

Rewiring America founder Saul Griffith has a plan to rapidly electrify the country, create 25 million jobs and avoid the climate disaster.This session was he...

07/16/2021

NY state has lost more than 2,100 farms since 2012. Many farmers here support solar development because it can provide a financial lifeline that allows them to keep their land and continue farming.

Garth Ellms of Ellms Farm argued that allowing commercial solar arrays on farmland...

07/01/2021

Check out our recent advertisement in the Columbia Paper. A great team effort!

06/29/2021

Exciting to see 2 major NY solar projects approved where communities excited about the projects and the benefits it will bring to their communities!

Governor Cuomo announced that the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting has issued final siting permits for its first two major solar facilities, Riverhead Solar 2, LLC and Morris Ridge Solar Energy Center, LLC.

04/28/2021

Our friends at Solar United Hartland Newfane have shared a great article on how solar projects can provide significant opportunities to small town

04/22/2021

This is a great article about how letting farm soil rest is an important part of sustainable farming. Farmers leasing their land for solar panels allows farmers to still earn money while letting their land rest. Which will make their farms more fertile and productive long term.
“It’s really challenging to make things happen because we’re a capitalist society, and people make money by farming,” Cruse says. “There can be a resistance in the farming population to manage fields sustainably. We need a government program that would pay farmers not to farm. We need incentives and regulation.”

Researchers used satellite imaging and surface soil color to find out how much of the nutrient-rich earth has eroded away

04/19/2021

"280 acres of solar panels is indeed our fair share. Why not be proud to live in a town that stepped up to face the greatest challenge of our lifetimes?" Thank you to our co-founder Dan Haas for outlining the reasons Shepherd's Run is just right for our community in the April 15 edition of The Columbia Paper!