BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County lawmakers are supporting an initiative from the NYSAC Steering Committee to push solar projects away from prime farmland. 

The resolution, which was passed during the Nov. 2 Full Board meeting, seeks to support farmers who have lost significant farmland to solar projects in recent years. 

According to county officials, agriculture is a cornerstone of New York's rural economy and food system, generating approximately $47 billion in economic activity that supports 160,000 jobs. 

Legislator Harry Smithers spoke on the resolution, saying it was a time to encourage the protection of farmland throughout the state. 

"We all recognize the value of farmland and quite often the best land is grabbed up by these solar developers," he said. 

Smithers said the resolution supporting NYSAC's position was to encourage the use of "alternative land," including brownfields, marginal lands, rooftops, parking areas and previously developed land that could not be used for agriculture. 

Legislators said between 2017 and 2022, New York lost approximately 363,885 of farmland and 2,788 farms as farmers and communities faced growing pressure from residential and commercial development. 

At the center of such development is the county Industrial Development Agency.

In most cases, solar projects have received 25-30 year PILOTs, with a few receiving even longer benefits.

Currently, ORES officials have full discretion to override local authority, despite claims the governing body cannot, pointing to state regulations. 

ORES says the department works closely with state agencies, including "Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), as well the United States Army Corps of Engineers, to ensure that all permit requirements are met during project construction, land restoration, and project operation."

New York State continues to pursue renewable energy goals that require significant energy generation and infrastructure as well, county officials said. 

Due to prime agricultural land having already been cleared, the large tracts of land are particularly attractive to solar developers, Smithers said. 

"Farmland protection is not solely a land-use issue but an economic development imperative, because New York’s agricultural economy depends upon a critical mass of working farms that sustain processors, equipment dealers, suppliers, distributors, food manufacturers, and other businesses throughout rural communities," county officials said. 

County officials are urging state officials to consider alternatives to prime farmland if they plan to push solar projects forward, including state-owned and publicly controlled properties, as well as previously developed or non-agricultural sites for renewable energy generation. 

County officials say if steps are not taken to prevent further use of farmland for such projects, severe economic downturn is possible. 

Farm succession was also a major concern, with many multi-generational farms having ceased operations in recent years as well. 

"Farm succession represents a particularly important opportunity for state action because farmland is especially vulnerable to conversion when an owner retires, and programs that facilitate transfers to beginning and next-generation farmers can preserve both farmland and agricultural production," county officials said.