As much as we love solar, the Eden Renewable Solar Project in Colonie is NOT okay.
Dear Save the Pine Bush Friends,
Please come to the public hearing regarding the proposed Solar Farm in the Pine Bush.
I have included links to the documents and maps.
Thank you so much,
Lynne Jackson
For Save the Pine Bush
Join the next fight for the Pine Bush
Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Town of Colonie Building Department
347 Old Niskayuna Rd, Latham, NY 12110
A solar farm is proposed to be built on 75 acres of Pine Bush ecosystem in the Town of Colonie. The proposal is called the Lishakill 1 Solar Farm at 2772 Curry Rd and Lishakill 2 Solar Farm at 2792 Curry Rd.
Save the Pine Bush supports sustainable energy production, including wind, solar and other renewal types of energy. However, taking seventy-five acres of Pine Bush ecosystem to build a solar farm is not acceptable.
The solar farm is proposed to be built in an area of land that the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission has designated as “Full Protection”. The Pine Bush Commission defines full protection as “a recommendation that the undeveloped portion of an area be protected in its entirety.”
There are two, significant world-wide problems we need to address — climate change and the world-wide sixth major extinction of species. Both of these serious problems are caused by human activity. Of course, solar panels address the issue of climate change. The more energy generated by renewable methods, the better. But, covering 75 acres of Pine Bush ecosystem is not the solution.
There is no question we need more renewable sources of energy. But, is destroying Pine Bush habitat the answer? We need better solutions to the climate crisis than destroying habitat.
The applicant for the solar farm is, Lisha Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of Eden Renewables, located in Troy, NY. According to their website, th founder and CEO, Harry Lopes, has developed rooftop solar projects.
Here is one possible idea: Since we need solar, why not offer Lisha Solar a land trade? Lisha solar could give the 75 acre site to the preserve in exchange for New York State allowing them to put a massive solar project on the roof of all of the buildings at the Harriman Office Campus. Land trades have been done in the Pine Bush before to protect the ecosystem — why not a solar farm trade? Surely, we can find solutions to the climate crisis without destroying Pine Bush ecosystem.
People who are interested in protecting the Pine Bush and in climate change should attend this meeting and make their voices heard. Seventy-five acres is a lot of Pine Bush to lose.
In a letter dated December 21 from the applicant’s representative to the Town of Colonie Planning board states that “The applicant is working with the Albany Pine Bush on this site to improve habitat for the Karner Blue Butterfly.” The letter continues “A detailed biodiversity management plan will be developed in conjunction with the Pine Bush.” How can habitat be improved for the Karner Blue if the habitat is covered with solar panels? The feed plant for the Karner Blue only grows in the sun, won’t the solar panels shade out the lupine? How can biodiversity be encouraged in the shade of the panels?
Link to documents on the Town of Colonie website: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gel5u77b1ylo6ei/AACEgdB2H4teYl_23oaDJbbca/ZBA%20AGENDA%20PACKET_JUNE%201%2C%202022/2792%20%26%202772%20Curry%20Rd%20-%20Packet?dl=0
Curry Road 1: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h9rnrk8nhghryl5/AACTWexdil20cYHhjea77jHTa/Curry%20Rd%202772?dl=0
Curry Road 2: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h9rnrk8nhghryl5/AAAxvTdmnz1BG1Jj8Y5NXQlwa/Curry%20Rd%202792?dl=0
Read the State’s Albany Pine Bush Commission’s Concerns: https://savethepinebush.org/albany-pine-bush-commission-re-2772-2792-curry-rd-eden-renewables-proposed-solar-farm/
Déjà Vu, this parcel 25 years ago – Developer Bulldozes Lupine – Bad Behavior in Colonie https://savethepinebush.org/kb-kb_bull/ by Lynne Jackson, June/July 1995
Dear Save the Pine Bush Friend,
Please see attached February/March Save the Pine Bush newsletter. Save the Pine Bush will have a virtual zoom meeting on Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30 PM.
ACTION ALERT: A solar farm is proposed for 2772 and 2792 Curry Road in Colonie, 75 acres in the Pine Bush. The first meeting on this proposal is Tuesday, February 15 at 6:00 PM at the Town of Colonie Memorial Town Hall, 534 New Loudon Road, Latham, NY 12110.
While Save the Pine Bush supports increased renewable energy production, locating a solar facility on Curry Road is inappropriate. These lands have been designated by the Albany Pine Bush Commission as needing full protection due to currently supporting a Karner blue butterfly population. Since 2010, over 250 acres have been lost in Pine Bush due to development; we can’t afford to lose additional acres.
Please attend this in-person meeting or write to the Town of Colonie Planning Board (534 New Loudon Road, Latham, NY 12110).
Please contact me if you have any questions. Of course we want solar energy! But, we need to put solar farms on roofs and in parking lots – not in the Pine Bush.
Note this is a separate proposal to the Curry Road Solar Guilderland (Borrego Solar), located across the street which would build on 48 acres of Full Protection Lands. Together, the proposals would equal 133 acres, which is an area 33% percent larger then Crossgates Mall.
Thanks!
Lynne Jackson