Clean Energy and Conservation are Not Zero-Sum Games.

A Note from the D: W Co-Founder: Fulfilling our need for energy while protecting our environment, which we humans also need to survive, is not easy - but there are routes to balance - if all stakeholders are willing.

Solar panels are an essential step toward a clean energy solution for our present dependence on fossil fuels; however, while the proposal by Boralex to mitigate their solar field’s harm to vital grassland habitat is a start, it falls short of giving the Snowy and Short-eared owls, Northern harriers, and so many more the area they need to hunt, roost, control rodents, spread seeds, and bring us viewing joy.

We are all on the same “side.” We need the clean energy that the Boralex project will bring. And there is a way to an equitable compromise: we can have our solar field AND a healthy, biodiverse environment, but the public’s voice must be heard.

We are asking Boralex to go the extra mile - create a real win for the people by readdressing their plan so that it creates a strong and sustainable balance for their vital energy contribution, and a healthy biodiverse environment. Snowy Owls, Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, Bobolinks, and so many more species need a voice.

From the Grassland Bird Trust

Update: October 19,2025:

As many of you know, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) held a public comment hearing in Fort Edward on September 30 with respect to Boralex' application to build a commercial solar facility that will blanket 567 acres of the Fort Edward Grasslands with solar panels. The panels will be installed within an 1,828 acre total facility site that includes both temporary and permanent project components such as access roads, an electrical collector system, interconnection components, and fencing.

About 100 people attended the public comment hearing, the overwhelming number of whom supported GBT. In addition, over 250 comments were posted on the ORES site, again overwhelmingly supportive of GBT. There are over 1,000 comments which have not yet been posted to the ORES site.

Thank you to the hundreds of supporters that attended the public comment hearing or posted comments on the ORES site.

The Grassland Bird Trust never expected that this project could be stopped by GBT alone given New York State's policy objective to expand renewable energy. More renewable energy is a goal that GBT supports, but Boralex has selected, and ORES is likely to permit, the worst possible site for rapidly disappearing grassland birds.

In 2023, with the support of our members, GBT retained an attorney and avian expert with experience in ORES proceedings. GBT has applied to be a party in the proceeding and requested assignment of an administrative settlement judge. Our goal is to negotiate a meaningful increase in mitigation land to offset the project's damage to irreplaceable grassland bird habitat.

Given the ecological significance of the project site, the mitigation land must be permanently protected. Current regulations require only 216 acres of mitigation to achieve a "net conservation benefit" for grassland birds, but only for the duration of the project's operation. Because the project will cover 567 acres with solar panels, Boralex should be required to permanently conserve an equivalent amount, 567 acres, as mitigation land.

As the National Audubon Society stated in its comment on GBT's behalf:

For a site as rare and critical as the Fort Edward grasslands, which provides some of the highest quality habitat for grassland birds in New York State, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to mitigate habitat impacts and achieve a net conservation benefit.

By October 27, ORES will file a response to GBT's petition for party status and Boralex may file a response to our filings. We will keep you posted on the results.

GBT is grateful for the support you have given to GBT, and much more important, to the beautiful grassland birds in the Fort Edward Grasslands.

As most of you are aware, Boralex, a multi-billion-dollar Canadian company, has proposed building a 100MW solar facility in the heart of the Fort Edward Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA), where GBT owns and stewards vital grassland bird habitat. The solar facility would cover 527 acres with solar panels within a total 1,828-acre project area that includes roads, fencing, and both permanent and temporary equipment.

To make it up to the birds, Boralex’s mitigation plan is to conserve only a couple of hundred acres. GBT strongly believes the plan is inadequate. It fails to acknowledge the area's ecological significance or provide meaningful protection for the grassland birds that rely on this unique habitat. At a minimum, Boralex should permanently conserve at least as much land as it is blanketing with solar panels: 527 acres.

Please Give to Help

Sept 2025 NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.

Attend the Public Hearing on Sept 30 at 6:00 PM at the Durkeetown Baptist Church in Fort Edward

An administrative law judge will hear public comments. GBT and other expert partners will speak. Please let us know if you plan to comment so we can ensure our experts are heard first. The judge will likely limit comments to 3 minutes per person and may allow only a limited number of people to speak.

Even if you do not speak, your attendance is critical and demonstrates that there is public support to protect this critical habitat for grassland birds.

Submit Online Comments By Oct 2 at: ORES DMM Case 23-03023 (select “Post Comments” on the upper right)

Your voice is important and matters. It takes only a few minutes to provide written comments on the importance of the IBA to grassland birds and the need for increased mitigation.

Refer to this document for suggested talking points to help you create your custom message.

Thank you for your continuing support of the Grassland Bird Trust as we work to protect the Fort Edward Grasslands IBA.

Questions? Contact us at info@grasslandbirdtrust.org
What is at stake? Read: Winter Secrets of the New York Grasslands, Snowy Owls, Short-eared Owls, and More