Politicians Tell Hochul to Stop Sacrificing Farmland for Climate Agenda Across New York

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to reconsider New York’s dependence on large-scale solar projects that replace farmland warning that two developments planned in Genesee County threaten one of the state’s most productive agricultural regions. In a recent letter, Hawley called on the governor to stop the $950 million Cider Solar project and the $345 million Excelsior Solar project, which together would take up nearly 6,000 acres of farmland.

He stressed that Genesee County plays a vital role in the state’s agricultural economy and argued that converting fertile farmland into industrial solar sites is reckless at a time when New York is already losing farms at an alarming pace. State figures show that between 2021 and 2022, the number of farms in New York fell by 14% and more than 9% of farmland disappeared.

Hawley also invited Hochul and members of her administration to come to his district, which overlaps with part of her former congressional district, so they could hear directly from local residents whose livelihoods are being jeopardized by these projects.

“While farmers across Western New York are struggling to keep the lights on, Gov. Hochul is busy taking away thousands of acres of vital farmlands to advance her radical climate agenda,” Hawley said.

He added, “My colleagues and I have spent decades fighting in Albany to make sure local agriculture is not left behind. Now, this administration is forcing taxpayers to foot the bill while they bulldoze and pave over the lifeblood of so many families and small businesses. Western New Yorkers are tired of politicians who’ve never stepped foot on a farm making policy for agriculture. It’s time for Gov. Hochul to put the shovel down and start protecting our farms, not putting them out of business.”

Politicians Tell Hochul to Stop Sacrificing Farmland for Climate Agenda Across New York