Albany, N.Y., April 2-State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and members of the Senate Republican Conference today sent a letter to the state’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) requesting comprehensive information on wind, solar, battery energy storage and other renewable energy projects “currently under review, pending approval, or anticipated for approval…particularly those with the potential to affect protected lands, environmentally sensitive areas, and regulated agricultural resources across New York State.”

 

The Senate Republican Conference letter to ORES (see attached copy above) reads, in part, “We welcome this opportunity to follow up on a recent request from our colleagues in the Assembly Republican conference, as well as on behalf of residents, local governments, and environmental stakeholders throughout the regions we represent and across the state, to raise similar concerns regarding project approvals that appear to conflict with established environmental standards, particularly in relation to the siting of solar facilities on productive farmland and development near sensitive wildlife habitats… Given the breadth of ORES authority, including its ability to supersede determinations made by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as well as local zoning and land-use laws, it is essential that its actions reflect a high standard of transparency, consistency, and adherence to established environmental protections and home rule doctrines.”

 

Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said, “We have to be realistic about harvesting green energy and the environmental impacts it can have. The Senate GOP has long stood for an all-of-the-above approach to powering New York State, and advocates for doing so responsibly. But, we have serious concerns when an unelected agency fast tracks the eradication of farmland, grasslands, forests, and other protected areas to make way for solar farms with little to no oversight. ORES needs to be held accountable, and given guardrails to prevent the future destruction of New York’s natural beauty and agriculture.”

 

O'Mara, Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, said, “Albany Democrats have given ORES broad authority over the siting of wind, solar, and other renewable energy projects throughout New York State. This authority includes the power to overrule local decision-making, which has raised serious concerns among local residents, local governments, and local environmental stakeholders, particularly in rural, upstate New York regions where many of these projects are being sited. We believe it’s critically important that ORES is fully accountable and transparent, and that its actions remain fully in line with strict environmental standards, sensitive to local concerns, and don’t put at risk prime agricultural land and other natural resources.”

 

“I'm grateful for Sen. O'Mara taking the lead on an issue that's all about protecting local authority. We need this information to deliver the accountability and oversight our constituents deserve,” said Senator Jake Ashby, SD 43rd. 

 

“My office has received many comments from constituents who are concerned, as I am, that ORES is bypassing its due diligence and rubber-stamping massive renewable energy projects with obvious environmental implications. That is especially troubling when these projects involve the loss of productive farmland or development near sensitive wildlife habitats, where approvals appear to run contrary to established environmental standards. That is why we are asking for more transparency on the projects currently under review so people can see exactly what is being proposed and evaluate whether these decisions are being made responsibly and in accordance with the law,” said Senator George Borrello, SD 57th.

 

“On land or offshore, transparency isn’t optional. New Yorkers deserve to understand how siting approvals are happening and the impact on their communities. Clean energy is a shared goal, but it must be pursued in a way that respects local input and protects the communities affected. That means clear standards and full accountability when state agencies override local concerns or environmental recommendations. The people who live in these communities deserve a voice in decisions that directly affect their quality of life,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, SD 9th.

“As the state looks to develop various renewable energy sources, it must do so in an environmentally responsible manner. The siting of solar, wind, and other projects must be open and transparent to ensure that residents and community leaders are part of the process, and that our land, water and ecosystems are adequately protected,” said Senator Patrick Gallivan, SD 60th.

 

“I did not support the creation of ORES because it silences local voices and takes away local control. Energy projects have become much more prevalent across the state and could have significant and long-term effects on municipalities in which they are proposed. Local governments, with input from the residents that they represent, should be the ones making decisions related to these ventures - not unelected bureaucrats in Albany. We must ensure that ORES is operating transparently, is adhering to established environmental standards and is sensitive to local concerns,” said Senator Joseph Griffo, SD 53rd.

 

“As someone who has championed the permanent conservation of hundreds of acres of prime agricultural land, I know how important it is to safeguard our natural resources and farmland. For years, public and private investments have supported that work — and they should not be put at risk by a state-driven process that overrides local input and long-standing environmental safeguards. The creation of ORES, the passage of the RAPID Act, and now a proposal to open protected forest lands to energy development risk undoing the work of generations of conservationists and farmers. New Yorkers deserve transparency and accountability in how these commercial projects are sited and a real seat at the table when decisions are made about their communities,” said Senator Pam Helming, Chair of the Republican Conference, SD 54th.

“Albany control of policy, especially in energy, is always problematic and we must make certain that we protect local control.  Community voices as well as our natural resources in every area of our state must be respected.  Granting state agencies sweeping, monopolistic control to bypass local zoning and override 'home rule' legacies is wrong at its core.  In cases where such power is granted, like with ORES, New York State must err on the side of transparency and must allow community input when issues arise.  New York State must never be allowed to overstep its responsibility to the residents it serves for political expediency,” said Senator Mario R. Mattera, SD 2nd, Ranking Republican on the Energy Committee.

 

“New Yorkers deserve to know what is being proposed in their communities. The state should not override local control or push projects forward through heavy-handed use of eminent domain. Renewable energy development must be balanced and transparent. Progress should not come at the cost of environmental responsibility or public trust,” said Senator Dean Murray, SD 3rd.

“New York’s push for renewable energy cannot come at the cost of local voices, environmental safeguards, or the loss of our most productive farmland. At the same time, New York State must continue to advance innovation and diversify its energy portfolio responsibly. ORES has been granted sweeping authority, and with that comes a great responsibility to operate with complete transparency and accountability. We are demanding answers to ensure these decisions respect our communities, uphold the law, and protect the vibrant resources that define this state,” said Senator Steven Rhoads, SD 5th.

 

“New York's Office of Renewable Energy Siting has way too much power to override local decisions and ignore the elected representatives of our Towns and Villages. We refuse to stand by as vital agricultural lands and sensitive wildlife habitats are put at risk by poorly vetted renewable projects. It's time for ORES to prove that its decisions respect the environment and the will of the residents who will live alongside these developments. We will fiercely protect our agricultural industry and ensure that any energy projects uphold the integrity of the land and our future,” said Senator Mark Walczyk, SD 49th.

ORES was created under the “Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act” (CLCPA), approved by Democrats in 2019, to oversee the review and approval of renewable energy projects statewide. In 2024, Hochul and the Democrat-led Legislature enacted a new law known as the “Renewable Action through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act” authorizing ORES to effectively streamline the siting permit review process. The stated goal of the RAPID Act was to “balance transparency with environmental protection and the need for fast decision making, while continuing to be responsive to community feedback.” Late last year, ORES issued revised regulations “for the environmental review, permitting, and siting of major renewable energy facilities and major electric transmission facilities.”

 

When the RAPID Act was first approved, Senate and Assembly Republicans voiced their opposition that the new, fast-tracked, state-dictated process would overrule local zoning, unreasonably expand eminent domain, jeopardize natural resources and farmland, and undermine local control and the will of local residents and communities. Those concerns have been shared by many local leaders and continue to be raised throughout the state, particularly over the loss of prime agricultural land to solar developers.

 

The Senate Republican letter concludes, “Let us be clear: this request is not intended to oppose energy development. New York State must continue to advance innovation and diversify its energy portfolio responsibly. However, these efforts must not come at the expense of the very natural and agricultural resources that our environmental laws are designed to protect, or at the will of the citizens who will live next door to these projects. Ensuring that renewable energy development proceeds in a manner consistent with environmental stewardship, transparency, and public trust is of paramount importance.