Get wise with R. i. S. E.
Informing the community about solar energy
Who We Are
We are an organized group of farmers, landowners, and residents of the Town of Coxsackie, who are supported by additional residents of Greene County, the State of New York, and adjacent states.
Our goal is to share fact-based information about utility-scale solar projects and to advocate for the successful completion of solar projects in our community.
Our Motivation
Protecting Agricultural Land from Development
Supporting Cheap and Environmentally Responsible Power
Fighting Climate Change and Protecting the Environment for Future Generations
Informing the Community
Benefits of Utility-Scale Solar:
FAQ
The Answers You Need
Will my property values go down?
This is the most common concern when a solar project is proposed in a community. While there is a lot of speculation about how property values will be affected the evidence points to little to no change in value. Some of this comes from studies concerning wind farms, which although they are not the same as solar panels, have a higher visual impact on the community. There have also been reviews of property values done by real estate agents in communities where solar projects are being built. These reviews look at prices before, during, and after construction and have found no detriment to values.
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Property Value Impact Study Proposed Solar Farm McLean County, IL
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What are the effects on the environment?
By and large, solar power generation has many environmental benefits when compared to traditional forms of power generation from fossil fuels. Solar power facilities create little noise, have no emissions, and overall help in the fight against climate change.
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Environmental Impacts from the Installation and Operation of Large-scale Solar Power Plants
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What's in it for me and the community?
Utility-scale solar power has many benefits for the community that welcomes them. Solar power produces no emissions and they are quiet. The host community benefits directly in the form of payments (millions of dollars in revenue) that can be used for public works projects, improving schools, funding libraries and emergency services and/or reducing taxes of community residents. In short, they are the perfect neighbors.
You can say you:
Helped curb climate change by reducing carbon emissions in order to give your children a sustainable, habitable world.
Provided lower cost, clean renewable energy
Saved important habitat for plant and animal species
Opened up new recreational opportunities in the community for hiking, birding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
Reduced run-off from farming operations and helped clean up the soil, air and water
For additional answers please follow these links:
New York State’s Sweeping Energy Policy
From the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Website.
The 2015 State Energy Plan is a comprehensive roadmap to build a clean, resilient, and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. The Plan coordinates every state agency and authority that touches energy to advance the REV agenda, unleashing groundbreaking regulatory reform to integrate clean energy into the core of our power grid, redesigning programs to unlock private capital, and actively deploying innovative energy solutions across the state’s own public facilities and operations.
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In 2014, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched New York’s signature energy policy, Reforming the Energy Vision (REV). REV will build an integrated energy network able to harness the combined benefits of the central grid with clean, locally generated power.
The Plan, as a roadmap for REV, fosters economic prosperity and environmental stewardship—government and industry working together through public-private partnerships to achieve our shared goal of a healthier and stronger New York economy.
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The initiatives outlined in the State Energy Plan, along with private sector innovation and investment fueled by REV, will put New York State on a path to achieving the following clean energy goals:
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40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels
50% electricity will come from renewable energy resources
600 trillion Btu increase in statewide energy efficiency
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The Biennial Report to the 2015 State Energy Plan highlights the progress the State of New York has made toward providing clean, reliable, and lower-cost energy to all New Yorkers. Under the direction of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's aggressive Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) clean energy initiative, efforts have been focused on seven major categories: Renewable Energy, Building and Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy Financing, Sustainable and Resilient Communities, Energy Infrastructure Modernization, Innovation and R&D, and Transportation.
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This comprehensive report outlines the initiatives undertaken in each category and illustrates the advancements achieved in each to date. It also focuses on new action items to advance the state's progress toward achieving its long-term goal of providing a positive economic environment for the creation of sustainable, clean energy solutions, and the jobs to support them well into the future.
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In September 2009, a law was passed that statutorily establishes the New York State Energy Planning Board, chaired by the President and CEO of NYSERDA, and calls on that Board to launch an energy planning process and complete a State Energy Plan.
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Contact R.i.S.E
Would you like to get involved or simply want more information? Please drop us a line.
