NYSERDAs Solar Panel Push Faces Opposition from County Board Amid Concerns Over Water Table Impact

SCHOHARIE - The Board of Supervisors meeting nearly erupted after a presentation by Duane Spaulding, representing Schoharie County residents against solar energy projects. He used a sponge, water, and toothpicks to illustrate his theory regarding the cause of groundwater loss experienced by two dairy farms and how it relates to recent solar energy installations. Spaulding explained that in the area of Brown Road in the towns of Seward and Carlisle, the area's groundwater is reliant on a karst rock formation. Karst is a type of landscape where the dissolving of the bedrock has created sinkholes, sinking streams, caves, springs, and other characteristic features that lend themselves to the filtration and accumulation of groundwater.

Their main concerns are around PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PFAS are toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative. These synthetic fluorochemicals were first developed in the 1930s as an additive that repels both oil and water. These man-made chemicals are widely used in building materials such as paints, cleaning products, non-stick coatings, sealants, tapes, wire coverings, solar panels, and more. These "forever chemicals" have been linked to cancer and other health issues.

The other major concern brought forward by Spaulding was the real-time destruction of the karst rock formation that he believes is caused by the installation of the solar panel pylons. Spaulding called for a moratorium on the installation of additional solar panels in the wake of two farmers losing well water.

As the board moved on to committee reports, Town of Blenheim Supervisor Don Airey used his time to voice his support for looking at the ramifications of a county-wide moratorium on solar development, though he wasn't optimistic about the outcome. He also expressed his willingness to commit to further investigation regarding the possibility of a County solar law. Airey pointed out, for the record, "the disgrace that's going on in Sharon by NextEra Energy. That's a kind word that I just used. Disgrace. This is what our state thinks of upstate communities. Over and over again, they have violated engineering practices, good construction practices, and the list goes on and on. Sandy (Manko, Sharon Town Supervisor) has had to live through this nightmare. Not just during this construction, but for several years of this Article 10 nightmare. I think it's a damn shame that we have a governor and an agency like NYSERDA that stands behind this flawed energy plan and the application of the same in rural upstate communities. I'm going to stop myself there. I'm going to also ask for an executive session regarding potential litigation related to taxation issues related to renewable energy projects and non-profits."

John Leavitt also had a lot to say and brought up points encouraging other supervisors to survey the damage for themselves. "I just think it's deplorable what happened to those dairy farms, and if you haven't driven through that area, take a look and look at the destruction and the mess that they've created up there." He went on to explain that NextEra is looking to build a 300-megawatt solar farm, while the Sharon solar farm is only 50 megawatts.

Donald Airey jumped back in to commend his colleagues, as Schoharie County is the only county in the state that has stood up to what's going on. "I'm going to implore this board to stand up again."

County Attorney Michael West didn't see a moratorium as a possibility, with power being held by individual towns, but he did express hope in the possibility of a united front.

Sandy Manko said, "They do nothing for us. Gilberts Corners Rd is also prime farmland for us, and they didn't care. You could have all the moratoriums you want, and with Article 10, the State comes in, they take over; there's no home rule, there's nothing. The town of Sharon is getting absolutely nothing in dollars." Manko made a motion that they stop paying dues to the Association of Counties, as they feel they are not being represented adequately if at all. All were in favor except Supervisor Skowfoe of Fulton, who felt they might be cutting off their nose to spite their face.