Hecate Energy Columbia County 1, LLC (Shepherd’s Run Solar) Virtual Public Comment Hearings

Public comment hearings pursuant to 16 NYCRR part 1100 to hear and receive unsworn comments from the public will be held before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The hearings are being conducted electronically through the Webex electronic webinar platform and by telephone.

Instructions for Attending the Virtual Public Comment Hearings: 

A virtual public comment hearing will be held before the assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) on: 

DATE: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 
TIME: 2:00 P.M. 

Register for the 2pm Hearing

Electronic Access: meetny-gov.webex.com 
Event Number: 2823 585 8747 
Password: Jan27-2pm 

Phone-Only Access: 1-929-251-9612 
Access Code: 2823 585 8747 
Password: 52627027 

DATE: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 
TIME: 6:00 P.M. 

Register for the 6pm Hearing

Electronic Access: meetny-gov.webex.com 
Event Number: 2819 975 2820 
Password: Jan27-6pm 

Phone-Only Access: 1-929-251-9612 
Access Code: 2819 975 2820 
Password: 52627067 

Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record during the virtual public statement hearings must register to do so by 12 noon on Monday, January 26, 2026, in accordance with the instructions set forth below. 

To register and provide a statement electronically: 

This option is for participants who would like to provide a statement and who will log in to a hearing electronically. Participants must register by the date indicated above by clicking the “Register” button, and providing all requested information. After registration is complete, registrants will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the hearing. 

On the day of the hearing, when logging in to participate in the virtual hearing on the appropriate date and time, participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require that participants enter their phone numbers. 

To register and provide a statement by phone: 

This option is for participants who are not able to log in to a virtual public comment hearing electronically. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at a virtual public comment hearing must register to do so by the date indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, following the prompts to the appropriate hearing, and then providing the following information: first name and last name, address, and phone number. 

On the day and time of the virtual public statement hearing, call-in registrants must dial 1-929- 251-9612 and enter the access code and phone-in password listed above. 

All participants will be muted upon entry into the virtual public comment hearing. The ALJ will call upon each person who has registered to make a statement and will continue each hearing until everyone who has registered to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements to submit comments into the record have been made. Reasonable time limits may be set for each speaker as necessary to afford all attendees an opportunity to be heard. It is recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of each public comment hearing will be made for inclusion in the record of these proceedings. 

To listen to the hearings without making a statement: 

Any interested person may listen to the hearings by calling 1-929-251-9612 and entering the appropriate access code and phone-in password listed above. 

Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department’s Human Resources Management Office at 1-518-473-9463 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Persons with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800- 342-3377 or email [email protected] for free language assistance services regarding this Notice. To request a translator or sign language interpreter so that you can participate at a specific public statement hearing, please contact the Department at least 10 days before the hearing by calling 1-800-342-3377 or emailing your request to [email protected].

Read the Notice

Matter 24-03041 - Application of HECATE ENERGY COLUMBIA COUNTY 1, LLC for a Major Renewable Energy Facility Siting Permit Pursuant to Article VIII of the New York State Public Service Law to Develop, Design, Construct, Operate, Maintain, and Decommission a 42-Megawatt (MW) Solar Energy Facility Located in the Town of COPAKE, COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Facility Description:

Applicant applied to the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (Office or ORES) for a permit pursuant to Public Service Law article VIII to construct and operate a 42-megawatt (MW) solar energy facility known as the Shepherd’s Run Solar Farm located in the Town of Copake, Columbia County. The facility would include, but is not limited to, photovoltaic (“PV”) solar arrays; inverters; security fencing; access roads; a substation; and a point of interconnection (“POI”) with the Craryville 115 kilovolt (kV) substation owned by New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG). Applicant filed the application with the Office on December 23, 2024. A notice of complete application was issued on September 19, 2025 (see https://dps.ny.gov/ores-permit-applications, click on Project Permit Application Number 24-03041). ORES staff published draft permit conditions on November 18, 2025. The draft permit conditions may be accessed at https://dps.ny.gov/ores-permit-applications, click on Project Permit Application Number 24-03041.

ORES Staff Position:

On issuing the draft permit conditions, ORES staff takes the position that the proposed facility, together with the uniform and site-specific standards and conditions contained in the draft permit, would comply with applicable laws and regulations. ORES staff recommends that the Office elect not to apply, in whole or in part, any local law or ordinance that as applied to the facility is unreasonably burdensome in view of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act targets and the environmental benefits of the proposed facility.

Public comment hearings pursuant to 16 NYCRR part 1100 to hear and receive unsworn comments from the public will be held at before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in-person:

Copake Town Hall 
230 Mountain View Road
Copake, NY 12516

On following dates and times: 

• Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM
• Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM