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A large solar farm is planned for Madison County. Many officials and residents don't want it - A 140 MW solar project in Madison County has state approval but faces strong local opposition over farmland loss and community control, highlighting the social challenges of New York’s climate goals.
Governor Kathy Hochul isn’t backing down: New York will meet its climate law targets—no matter how rocky the road.
In Madison County, that mandate is running into resistance. The state recently gave final approval to a 140-megawatt solar project that would cover 1,600 acres in the Town of Fenner. On paper, the project is designed to power 23,000 homes. In reality, it is stirring frustration in a rural community where farmland and local control matter deeply.
Local officials warn the project will wipe out 20 percent of the town’s prime farmland. At public hearings, nearly 90% of residents opposed it. Farmers are facing tough choices. Leasing land for solar pays 20x more than farming, but it also means less land for crops and milk at a time when companies like Chobani are demanding more.
Jim Cunningham, chair of the Madison County Board of Supervisors, says the county is not against renewable energy. Madison was home to New York’s first full-cycle wind project and has backed other clean energy efforts. The concern is not about whether to build renewables but about where they should go and whether local voices are being pushed aside.
Governor Hochul’s response has been firm. She says every community must play its part because the state’s climate law leaves no alternative.
And that leaves a bigger challenge on the table. New York needs clean energy. But communities want to protect farmland, preserve local decision-making, and avoid tearing neighbors apart. When energy projects are dividing people to the point of damaging friendships, the transition isn’t just technical. It is social.