BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- State lawmakers raised the possibility of floating solar arrays that would be placed across the state on water ways but the measure failed to gain enough support to pass through committee in the Assembly. 

That didn't stop lawmakers in the Senate from pushing the initiative forward in a move Senator Mark Walczyk called "hypocritical" as state lawmakers have pushed Governor Kathy Hochul's zero emissions green energy plan for several years now. 

The legislation would direct the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to study, promote, and provide grants for floating solar photovoltaic systems on underutilized water surfaces like lakes, canals, and man-made reservoirs. 

In a recent debate on the Senate floor, Senator Walczyk called on lawmakers to vote no on a resolution he said would open up waterways for development on the taxpayers' dime. 

Multiple waterways in the Adirondacks would be eligible for development, a major point of contention for Walczyk. 

Among other concerns, he said the legislation had no cap on the size of projects as well. 

"I've seen some doozies come across my desk in this legislature," he said. 

He said other proposals included battery storage that would hold Gigawatts of power, while other proposals that concerned him would allow for solar development on state reforestation areas. 

"Now we're looking at floating solar (arrays)," he said. 

Walczyk pointed to language in the bill, sponsored by Senator Pete Harckham, that claims the proposed floating solar incentive and education program would "take pressure off of agricultural farmland." 

He said the proposal had no cap on the size of arrays, which would severely impact boating, fishing, recreating and swimming. 

Walczyk said he was also concerned about the prospect of water becoming contaminated with "questionable chemicals" that could possibly coat or comprise the panels. 

"It's unclear who will pay for it," Walczyk said, noting taxpayers would be on the hook for the new grant program. 

"You can't save the planet by destroying the environment," he said. 

Assemblyman Scott Gray echoed the sentiment, saying the measure rightfully never made it to the Assembly floor for debate. 

"A bill permitting solar panels to float on our lakes and rivers passed the State Senate, without any safeguards for natural waterways. I strongly opposed and debated it in the Energy Committee, and it never proceeded to a floor debate, and it never should. This is a bridge too far for renewables. Envision covering the seven lakes region with solar panels. The North Country’s water bodies are not for sale," he said. 

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