Legislation to use public land for renewable energy projects is “insanity,” says County Chairman
By Andrew Harris
Allegany County is home to over forty thousand acres of state forests, some really magical places with names like Plumbottom, Philips Creek, and Vandermark. As New York State continues to pursue a aggressive “clean energy,” policy makers scramble to install the vast solar and wind energy projects set forth by the New York’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act(CLCPA, see climate.ny.gov.)
As part of that push is an attempt to reclassify tracts of state forests as “reforestation lands,” a designation that would permit solar and wind installations. While the attempt has failed in the past, Senate Bill 4408 is back in the legislative mix again and has drawn the eire of Allegany County and Chairman W. Brooke Harris. The legislation is summarized below, read the full text here:
The bill adds a new section 9-0508 to the environmental conservation law to allow the department to enter into agreements for the purpose of aiding in the siting and connectivity of renewable energy installations, as well as the transmission and distribution of electricity from those installations on state forest lands classified as reforestation lands.
Today, March 25, the full legislature met in Belmont NY for regular session and made a statement with a full-throated rebuke of the idea of solar panels or wind turbines on state forest land. Chairman Harris had this to say after the meeting:
“Allegany county residents are fed up. We’re already experiencing widespread loss of prime farmland to inappropriately sited solar projects. Now, in the name of environmentalism, the State is considering legislation that would open the door to irreparable harm to Allegany County forests, the wildlife that relies upon them, and the people who enjoy them.”
“This is a non-partisan issue. It’s simply bad legislation drummed up by a couple of self-described environmentalists that I wouldn’t trust to oversee the well-being of a house plant, let alone the State’s 800,000 forest acres. It’s insanity.”
After the 13-0 vote by the Allegany County legislators the board issued this statement:
Allegany County Legislative Board Adopts Resolution to Protect NYS Forests and Wildlife, Opposes Proposed State Legislation
Belmont, NY – The Allegany County Board of Legislators took formal action during its meeting today by unanimously adopting a resolution supporting the protection of New York State forests and wildlife and opposing New York State Senate Bill S4408 and Assembly Bill A10483.
The proposed legislation would allow the State to grant leases or easements for the siting and connection of renewable energy installations on designated reforestation areas.
The resolution, read in full during the meeting, highlights that New York State Environmental Conservation Law defines the purpose for those lands for watershed protection, production of timber, and other forest products, as well as for recreation and related uses. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is responsible for the stewardship, sustainable forestry certification, and maintenance of these lands. Its mission is to conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment while preventing and controlling pollution to enhance public health, safety, and overall economic and social well-being.
New York State’s more than 800,000 acres of publicly controlled forests serve as natural air filters, carbon sinks, and climate regulators. These lands absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, mitigate stormwater runoff, and prevent soil erosion, and provide habitats for more than 10,000 species of wildlife.
The Board also emphasized that these forested lands and the recreational opportunities they offer contribute significantly to economic growth through nature-based tourism and quality-of-life enhancements that help attract residents and businesses.
The proposed Senate and Assembly Bills run counter to the State Legislature’s stated goals under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and also circumvent community input regarding development siting and bypass local government zoning, approvals, and oversight.
The resolution urges the NYS Legislature and Governor Hochul to oppose the bills. The Allegany County Board of Legislators reaffirmed its support for responsible siting of renewable energy projects, emphasizing the importance of protecting prime agricultural lands and reforestation areas. The Board also encourages the State to prioritize the use of marginal lands, such as brownfields and rooftops, and advocates for greater county-level participation in renewable energy project siting and development.
Read the full county resolution:
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROTECTING NEW YORK STATE FORESTS AND WILDLIFE, AND IN OPPOSITION TO NEW YORK STATE SENATE BILL S.4408 (MAY) AND NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY BILL A.10483 (LUNSFORD)
Offered by: Legislators Gary R. Barnes, Charles Bessette, Janice L. Burdick, Philip B. Curran,
Kevin “Fred” Demick, Gretchen Hanchett, W. Brooke Harris, Steven A. Havey,
Dwight “Mike” Healy, Kevin LaForge, William L. Meunier, John D. Ricci,
Jennifer Ricketts-Swales, Philip Stockin, and Ricky L. Whitney
WHEREAS, Allegany County, New York is home to over 46,000 acres of New York State Forest lands, also defined as reforestation lands; and
WHEREAS, Environmental Conservation Law Section 9-0501 (1) defines the purpose of those lands as “…for watershed protection, the production of timber and other forest products, and for recreation and kindred purposes”; and
WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is appropriately charged with the stewardship, sustainable forestry certification, and maintenance of these areas; and
WHEREAS, the stated mission of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is to “…conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being”; and
WHEREAS, the over 800,000 acres of New York State controlled forests act as natural air filters, carbon sinks, and climate regulators, absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, mitigate stormwater runoff, and prevent soil erosion, and provide habitats for over 10,000 species of wildlife; and
WHEREAS, those lands are of great benefit to the residents of New York State through opportunities for recreation and access to activities that promote and improve physical and mental well-being; and
WHEREAS, the Allegany County Board of Legislators recognizes that wild lands and the recreational opportunities they provide support overall economic growth through nature-based tourism and quality of life improvements, which are necessary to attract new residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, New York State Senate Bill S.4408 and Assembly Bill A.10483would allow the State to provide leases or easements for siting or connecting renewable energy installations on reforestation areas; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of New York State Senate Bill S.4408 and Assembly Bill A.10483 are directly counter to the State Legislature’s purported goals as stated within the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA); and
WHEREAS, the provisions of New York State Senate Bill S.4408 and Assembly Bill A.10483 circumvent community input regarding development siting and bypass local government zoning, approvals, and oversight; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED:
1. That the Allegany County Board of Legislators urges the New York State Legislature and Governor Kathy C. Hochul to oppose New York State Senate Bill S.4408 and New York State Assembly Bill A. 10483.
2. That the Allegany County Board of Legislators continues to advocate for responsible siting of renewable energy projects through the protection of prime agricultural lands and reforestation areas and urges the State to prioritize marginal lands such as brownfields and rooftops in its citing processes.
3. That the Allegany County Board of Legislators continues to advocate for local and county government participation in renewable energy project citing and development.
4. That the Clerk of the Board shall forward copies of this resolution to Governor Kathy C. Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Senate Minority Leader Robert G. Ortt, Assembly Majority Leader Carl E. Heastie, Assembly Minority Leader Edward P. Ra, Senator George M. Borrello, Senator Thomas F. O’Mara, Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski, the New York State Association of Counties, and the Inter-County Association of Western New York.
