The Current Situation
Columbia County has made progress—several community solar projects are already operating. But most electricity still comes from the broader grid, which is 48.7% natural gas. Rural homes still depend on heating oil and propane. More local solar means more local benefits.
Existing Solar in Columbia County
The county already hosts several community solar projects:
- ELP Greenport Solar — 7 MW (operating since 2020)
- ELP Kinderhook Solar — 7.5 MW (operating since 2020)
- ELP Claverack Solar — 7.5 MW
- ELP Ghent Solar — 4.3 MW
- ELP Livingston Solar — 6.3 MW
- ELP Roe Jan Solar (Clermont) — 3.9 MW
These projects demonstrate that solar works in Columbia County—generating clean power, providing community solar savings, and coexisting with the community.
What Local Solar Would Mean
Benefits of Local Generation
- Lower electricity costs — Community solar saves subscribers ~10%
- Local tax revenue — Solar projects pay property taxes to the county
- Jobs — Construction and maintenance employment stays local
- Farmer income — Lease payments to participating landowners
- Energy independence — Less reliance on distant power plants
- Grid resilience — Distributed generation is more reliable
New York's Clean Energy Requirements
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) mandates:
- 70% renewable electricity by 2030
- 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040
- 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
These aren't suggestions—they're state law. To meet them, New York needs approximately 350 square miles of solar panels over the next three decades.
"There are only about 55 square miles of landfills, parking lots, and brownfields in NY. Rural solar isn't optional—it's required." — Dr. Richard Perez, SUNY Albany
Columbia County's Choice
Every community faces the same question: Will we be part of New York's clean energy future, or will we block it and watch other counties benefit?
| If We Build Solar | If We Block Solar |
|---|---|
| Local jobs and tax revenue | Benefits go elsewhere |
| Community solar savings for residents | No local clean energy option |
| Farmer income from leases | Farms continue struggling |
| Energy generated here | No new local generation |
| Part of climate solution | Part of the problem |
Current and Proposed Projects
Shepherd's Run Solar (Copake)
42 MW project that would power ~9,500 homes. Currently under ORES review.
Town Pages
Learn about solar in specific Columbia County towns:
- Greenport — 7 MW
- Ghent — 4.3 MW
- Livingston — 6.3 MW
- Clermont — 3.9 MW
- Claverack — 7.5 MW
- Kinderhook — 7.5 MW
- Hudson — City info
- Copake — 42 MW (proposed)
How Residents Can Participate
Community Solar
Even without rooftop panels, residents can subscribe to community solar and save on electricity bills. Learn how community solar works →
Support Local Projects
- Attend public hearings and speak up
- Submit comments to ORES supporting clean energy
- Counter misinformation in your community
- Vote for leaders who support renewable energy
The Bottom Line
Columbia County can lead in clean energy or be left behind. The projects will get built somewhere—the question is whether this community will benefit from local jobs, tax revenue, and clean power, or whether we'll continue importing everything.