The Rosendale Community Center packed the house for the workshop, “Scaling Up Solar: Exercising Caution with Large-Scale Solar Leases to Protect Area Farmers and Other Large Landowners.” This informational forum, co-sponsored by the Ulster County Climate Smart Committee, CLP and others, provided much needed legal, tax, and zoning information to landowners and municipal officials so that they can make more informed decisions about siting solar farms on their properties and in their communities.
With the extension of the federal investment tax credit and a new state Clean Energy Standard on the horizon, developers have been scanning Google Earth and cold-calling landowners in the Mid-Hudson region with offers to lease their land. It is critical that landowners and municipalities are prepared to make well-informed decisions to maximize the potential benefits to climate, the property owner, and the community, while minimizing unintended costs and risks.
Here's the video of the forum: