The Current Reality
"The inhabitants of Hudson have to import electricity from outside city limits because there are not any electricity producing facilities within the city." — FindEnergy.com
Hudson Valley residents pay for electricity generated elsewhere—much of it from natural gas plants. Rural homes still depend on heating oil and propane delivered by truck.
Where NY's Electricity Comes From (2024)
| Source | Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas | 48.7% | Fossil fuel, CO2 emissions |
| Nuclear | 24.5% | Zero-carbon but aging plants |
| Hydroelectric | 18.2% | Clean but maxed out |
| Wind | 4.8% | Growing |
| Solar | 2.1% | Needs massive expansion |
| Other | 1.7% | Includes oil, biomass |
When you flip a light switch in Hudson Valley, there's nearly a 50% chance that electricity came from burning natural gas somewhere else.
What Shepherd's Run Would Provide
42 MW of Local Clean Power
- ~9,500 homes worth of electricity annually
- Community solar subscriptions available to residents
- 10% savings typical for community solar subscribers
- Local tax revenue for Copake and Hudson Valley
- Construction and maintenance jobs in the county
The Scale We Need
New York's climate law requires dramatic clean energy expansion:
"To meet the bulk of existing and new electric demand (transportation, heat) we need to build 210 gigawatts — approximately 350 square miles — of solar panels in the next three decades." — Dr. Richard Perez, SUNY Albany
That's roughly 1,000 projects the size of Shepherd's Run across the state. There are only 932 townships in New York.
Rural solar is required to meet state climate law. The math is unavoidable.
Community Solar Benefits
Community solar lets renters and homeowners without suitable roofs subscribe to local solar:
- No installation required — subscribe and save
- Typically 10% savings on electricity bills
- Support local clean energy generation
- Cancel anytime — no long-term commitment
- Available to renters and apartment dwellers
Without projects like Shepherd's Run, Hudson Valley residents can't access community solar. The opportunity simply doesn't exist locally.
Grid Resilience
Distributed solar generation provides:
- Reduced transmission losses — power generated closer to use
- Grid stability — multiple generation sources
- Storm resilience — not dependent on distant plants
- Price stability — less exposure to natural gas price spikes
The Question SSRNY Can't Answer
If not here, where?
SSRNY opposes this solar project. They don't propose alternatives. If every rural community rejects solar, where does the clean energy come from?
The options are:
- Build solar in rural areas (what's proposed)
- Continue burning natural gas indefinitely
- Fail to meet climate goals
"Not in my backyard" isn't a climate strategy.
What's at Stake
- Local clean energy generation
- Community solar for residents who want it
- Reduced dependence on fossil fuels
- Local jobs and tax revenue
- Hudson Valley's role in NY's clean energy future
The county can lead or be left behind. SSRNY is choosing the latter.
Related Facts
- Solar Jobs in NY - Employment opportunities
- How Solar PILOT Payments Work - Tax revenue for communities
- Community Solar Guide - How to save on your bill
- Columbia County Energy - Local solar projects
- All Solar FAQs - Common questions answered