By Alexis Pencar
SHARON SPRINGS — Next week, on Thursday, February 29th at 1:00 pm, there is a Press Conference scheduled at the Salisbury Farm on Sakon Road in Sharon Springs. Two farms and various neighbors discussed losing water in their wells in relation to the controversial NextEra Solar Project. This gathering is in opposition to the large solar project and it is said that Assemblyman Chris Teague and Senator Peter Oberaker will be in attendance as a show of support to the farmers.
Farmer Harry Edsell on Parsons Road and Farmer Gardner “Skip” Salisbury on Sakon Road have both had their highly important well water negatively affected by the locality of the NextEra Project and their drilling, etc. Without any disruption in water quantity and quality for decades, these farmers are desperate for help and solutions.
The NextEra Solar project has been ongoing for several years now and has caused issues at nearly every turn. Though NextEra has made efforts to work with local municipalities like Town of Sharon and Town of Carlisle, these representatives continuously feel as though they are unheard and given little to no options.
NextEra Energy received New York State approval to build the 50-megawatt “East Point Energy Center” in January 2021, on 1,313 acres of farmland east of Sharon Springs. The company began construction on the project in March of 2022.
NextEra is a huge conglomerate and according to their website, “NextEra Energy Resources, LLC is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with approximately 27,400 megawatts of total net generating capacity, primarily in 40 states and Canada as of year-end 2022. NextEra Energy Resources is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun, a world leader in battery storage, and is driving the development of the green hydrogen economy.”
This Project has been controversial in the environmental consequences as well as the land use impacts for farmers and landowners. With construction, road closures, large equipment, and more, residents have been prevented from accessing land. There have also been comments and opposition to having prime farmland being used for this sort of venture.
If you have been affected by this or would like to make your voice and opinion heard on this matter, the Press Conference is scheduled for Thursday, February 29th, at 1:00 pm at the Salisbury Farm on Sakon Road in Sharon Springs. Look out for more coverage on this ongoing story.
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