Concerns Over “Floating Solar” Plan
There’s a new energy debate brewing in Albany, and it involves more than just solar panels on rooftops or open fields—this time, it’s about putting them on New York’s waterways.
State Sen. Joseph Griffo is speaking out after Senate Bill 4571 was recently passed by the Senate Majority, a proposal that would create a state-funded program supporting “floating solar” installations on lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
“Covering Our Waterways Is the Wrong Direction”
In a strongly worded statement, Griffo pushed back on the idea, saying the state is already pursuing what he calls an “unrealistic, unreasonable and unaffordable energy agenda.”
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He pointed to concerns about solar development on farmland and said expanding that approach to waterways raises even bigger questions.
“Now, they want to do the same with our waterways,” Griffo said, referring to the new proposal.
What the Bill Would Do
According to the legislation, the plan would establish a state-funded program to help subsidize floating solar projects across open water…