The Town of Middleburgh’s under-construction solar law drew heated discussion Thursday as dozens of residents weighed in on it.
Middleburgh’s been working on a solar law for months, but between May 10 and July 12, a special use clause allowing commercial solar projects was removed.
Part of the proposed law now states “…Utility-Scale Solar Energy Systems or Solar Farms providing power to the grid would have negative impacts on neighbors and will not enhance the rural character of the Town and are therefore prohibited in all Zoning Districts in the Town Middleburgh.”
That’s a mistake argued George McHugh, attorney for Carver Companies, who submitted and read into the minutes a petition with 109 signatures that states in part, “…the procedure you employed to propose this law without allowing the public to review it and comment on it ahead of time was completely undemocratic and void of any public input or comment.”
“…this proposed local law fails to address the needs of everyone in the community, by severely restricting the solar option and disregarding the needs and desires of the business owners and farms in Middleburgh.”
Mr. McHugh said Carver has no plans for solar projects to power their businesses currently, but wants to leave the option open.
“It should be handled on a case by case basis,” said Carver President Carver Laraway. “That’s my opinion.”
Michael Doud, project developer with Borrego Solar, a national company with commercial and utility customers, also spoke and answered some questions from the board.
“Only 27 percent of residential houses can use home solar, that leaves 73 percent of potential energy unused,” he said.
Residents wary or doubtful of the value of solar projects also had their say.
Dennis Macmillan claimed “that guy [Mr. Doud] is a silver-tongued salesman who will say anything to put in solar.”
Other attendees in favor of blocking commercial solar said the Valley’s not the place for it and accused those who’d profit from solar of “trying to wear down the board.”
Others asked what impact solar panels would have on the ambient temperature of the Valley.
Even members of the Planning Board still have questions.
“I’m not in favor of what’s in ]the solar farm at] Amsterdam,” said Planning Board member Denise Lloyd, “but wouldn’t everyone benefit from lower energy costs?”
Supervisor Pete Coppolo and councilmen are also looking for answers on how many kilowatts of electricity are needed to run a farm or business and what size panels would be used—questions that went unanswered.
“How many panels does the businesses use? We don’t know that,” Mr. Coppolo said. “What size do people need?”
Because they’re still collecting information on solar and the proposed law, councilmen took no action on it Thursday.