SOS Industrial Solar Concerns
Save Ontario Shores represents individuals in the towns of Somerset and Yates who share a desire to promote and preserve the rural character of these towns. We question the benefit of large scale industrial solar projects, believing them to be counter to the Comprehensive Plans and Local Waterfront Revitalization Plans of both towns. Local communities must maintain the authority to make decisions regarding any such installation as they will impact the future of the area, local families, health, environment, future economic development and properties. Western New York is now faced with the possibility of massive solar and battery storage projects. The 2,000-acre Ridgeview Solar project in the neighboring towns of Hartland and Newfane and the 900-acre Bear Ridge Solar project in the town of Cambria are two projects which have been proposed for Niagara County. An 1,800-acre project has been proposed by Community Energy in the towns of Barre and Shelby in Orleans County. Others have been proposed and more will soon follow.
Reasons Why Save Ontario Shores is concerned about Industrial Solar Installations:
Home Rule
Change in Rural Character
Land Use
Harm to Wildlife and Habitat Degradation
Destruction of Farmland
Toxic Chemicals
Pollution
Rare Materials
Water Use
Construction
Recycling of Solar Panels
Intermittent
Federal, State, and Local Subsidies
Local Jobs
Brown Fields
Local Opposition
The “Coalition to Protect Our Rural Communities” is a local grass roots group that has been formed to oppose industrial solar in Western New York and throughout the state. To access their website click HERE.
Orleans Hub February 4, 2020
Public Should Attend Town Board Meetings about Solar and Battery Storage Projects
Heidi Marciniak, Ridgeway Resident
Ridgeway is just the first of numerous solar projects being presented to our community and neighboring communities. This project alone would consist of 11,000 solar panels and a 3MW lithium ion battery which is the size of a tractor trailer. There are numerous concerns regarding a battery of this nature being installed near our residences.
New York Times March 18, 2020
He Set Up a Big Solar Farm. His Neighbors Hated It
Sarah Maslin Nir, Lewiston NY
A push toward renewable energy is facing resistance in rural areas where conspicuous panels are affecting vistas and squeezing small farmers who lease land parcels from bigger farmers or landowners. They fear that they will be squeezed out by energy companies willing to pay more to use farmland for their solar cells. Dropping them in the middle of an agricultural, residential community disrupts a way of life.
References:
- If Solar Panels Are So Clean, Why Do They Produce So Much Toxic Waste?
- Top Negative Impacts Solar Panels Have on Environment
- The Environmental Impacts of Photovoltaic Technology
- Negative Effects of Solar Energy
- Effects of Solar Power Farms on the Environment
- Solar panel demand causing spike in worldwide silver prices
- Not Enough Silver To Power The World Even If Solar Power Efficiency Were To Quadruple
- Solar Power on Brownfields
- It’s Time to End Subsidies for Renewable Energy
- Impact of Solar Energy on Wildlife Is an Emerging Environmental Issue
- If Renewables Are So Great for the Environment, Why Do They Keep Destroying It?
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