Clean Energy and Conservation are Not Zero-Sum Games.

From The Co-Founder: There are routes to compromise - if all stakeholders are willing. Clean energy is vital - and so is biodiversity, including grassland ecosystems. The proposal by Boralex is a start, but it does NOT mitigate the harm their present solar panel plan will do to the environment. There is a way to an equitable compromise, but the public’s voice must be heard in order for them to go the extra mile for the environment. The Grassland Bird Trust is asking for your voice.

From the Grassland Bird Trust

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.

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