The New York State Department of Public Service has announced that the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) will conduct a series of public comment hearings regarding the proposed Shepherd’s Run Solar Farm in Copake, Columbia County. The hearings are scheduled to take place both in person and virtually later this month.
Hecate Energy Columbia County 1, LLC submitted an application on December 23, 2024, to construct and operate a 42-megawatt solar energy facility. The project would include photovoltaic solar arrays, inverters, security fencing, access roads, a substation, and a connection point with the Craryville 115 kilovolt substation owned by New York State Electric and Gas Corporation.
A notice confirming the application was complete was issued on September 19, 2025. Draft permit conditions were published by ORES staff on November 18, 2025. Both documents can be accessed at https://dps.ny.gov/ores-permit-applications by searching for Project DMM Matter Number or Permit Application Number 24-03041.
In-person hearings will be held at Town of Copake Town Hall on January 21 and January 22 at both 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Virtual hearings are set for January 27 at the same times via Webex; details for electronic and phone access have been provided by the Department.
All individuals or organizations potentially affected by the facility are invited to participate in these sessions to provide comments on the application and draft permit conditions. Oral comments may be limited to three minutes per person to ensure all voices are heard; written comments are also accepted with equal consideration. According to hearing procedures: “The hearings will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangement has been made to include their comments in the record.”
Special accommodations for persons with disabilities or those needing language assistance services can be arranged through contact numbers provided by the Department of Public Service.
If changes occur regarding hearing schedules—such as cancellations or moves to virtual format—updates will be posted on the ORES website at https://dps.ny.gov/ores.
Individuals wishing to make statements during virtual hearings must register online or by phone no later than noon on January 26. Instructions for registration are available through the Department’s calendar at https://dps.ny.gov/calendar under Hecate Energy Columbia County 1, LLC (Shepherd’s Run Solar) Virtual Public Comment Hearings.
Transcripts from each session will become part of the official administrative record.
