Reveal

Sunblocked: Resistance to Solar in Farm Country

Jun 1, 2024

A couple faces backlash when leasing land for a solar project in Copake, NY. Residents divided over renewable energy benefits. Seven years later, project's future remains uncertain. Investigative reporter delves into resistance and impact on rural communities.

50:35

Creator website

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Local communities may resist solar projects due to concerns about farmland loss and environmental impact.

Efforts are being made to find common ground between solar developers and communities for efficient large-scale solar projects.

Deep dives

Struggles of Farming in Copake, New York

The Conover family at Sir William Angus Family Farm faces challenges ranging from broken equipment to snowstorms while striving to keep their tenant farm running. The family's decision to lease the land for a solar farm sparks controversy, with some community members opposing the project, fearing its environmental impact.

Introduction

2min

The Battle Over Solar Energy in Copac, New York

16min

Efforts to Develop Acceptable Solar Project and Address Farmland Loss

3min

The Solar Project Controversy in Copac

6min

Collaborative Efforts for Solar Project Enhancement

5min

Navigating Challenges in Community Solar Projects

8min

Challenges and Benefits of Solar Energy, Rainforest Preservation, and Advocacy for Freedom

3min

Seizing the Opportunity for Solar Deployment and Stakeholder Collaboration

2min

Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Solar Development

11min

Bill and Nancy Rasweiler thought they were making a smart decision when they decided to lease their land to Shepherd’s Run, a large-scale solar project that promised a steady income and offered them a way to contribute to renewable energy efforts. But when they presented their plan to the town of Copake, New York, they were met with widespread backlash.

“We never expected this kind of resistance,” Nancy Rasweiler recalled. “We thought it would be a win-win for everyone.” Instead, the Rasweilers found themselves at the center of a heated debate over the area’s future.

Residents in Copake are deeply divided: While some see it as a necessary step toward renewable energy, others fear it will harm the environment and disrupt their rural community. It’s been seven years, and the project’s future is still uncertain.

This week on Reveal, investigative reporter Jonathan Jones travels to Copake to explore the resistance to Shepherd’s Run, how the divide is affecting the town and what this fight means for renewable energy projects across the country.

This is an update of an episode that originally aired in January 2024.

Support Reveal’s journalism at Revealnews.org/donatenow
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get the scoop on new episodes at Revealnews.org/newsletter
Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

Reveal

Sunblocked: Resistance to Solar in Farm Country

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Struggles of Farming in Copake, New York

The Divide Over Solar Energy Projects in Rural Communities

Challenges Faced by Solar Developers in Copake

Efforts Towards Collaborative Solar Development

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts