Ortt says governor pushing large-scale green energy projects on communities

State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, responded to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s renewable energy proposals in his third State of the State Address this week.

Cuomo, in his address, touted a 200-megawatt solar project in Orleans County. “Orleans Solar” has been proposed by Community Energy in the towns of Barre and Shelby. The company on Dec. 21 went over the project in an online forum. The project would cover 1,300 acres, with about 75 percent in Barre and 25 percent in Shelby.

Ortt said many of these large-scale projects do not give local communities enough say, instead giving the state the ultimate authority in siting the projects.

“(The) announcement of a 200-megawatt solar energy project proposed for Orleans County displays the governor and his administration’s complete disregard for the opinions and desires of Orleans County residents,” Ortt said in a statement. “Residents and local officials have been vehemently opposed to industrial energy projects proposed in the past, yet Gov. Cuomo continues to ignore our concerns. Along with disrupting and destroying the quality of life where these projects are placed, they also raise energy costs for local businesses and families.

“Democrats in Albany are intent on silencing the voices of our community so that they may fulfill socialists’ desires for a Green New Deal,” Ortt said.