OP-ED: Community Responsibility in the Face of Large-Scale Solar Development

By Pete Vroman, Montgomery County Executive 

Montgomery County is proud of its deep agricultural roots, scenic landscapes, and close-knit communities. As we work to preserve these assets while facing the pressures of modernization and growth, we must confront a growing challenge: the unchecked spread of large-scale solar installations across thousands of acres of our farmland. 

Let me be clear—Montgomery County supports property owners and their rights to use their land. Landowners are vital stewards of our local economy, especially in our agricultural sector. However, those rights should not come at the expense of the broader community. When individual decisions lead to widespread consequences—loss of productive farmland, diminished rural character, and irreversible damage to the natural beauty that drives tourism and community pride—we have a responsibility to speak up. 
Currently, several large-scale solar projects are being proposed or underway in Montgomery County. These projects don’t simply involve rooftop panels or modest installations tucked behind barns. They span hundreds, even thousands, of acres—permanently altering our landscape and threatening our largest industry: agriculture. Once these prime farmlands are covered with steel and glass, they are lost for generations, if not forever. 

Adding to the frustration, the energy generated from these massive solar projects is not even staying here. It’s being “shipped” to other parts of the state, often to meet demand in downstate regions. Our residents are not seeing lower energy rates. We’re not receiving local power credits or grid enhancements. In short, the people who are being asked to sacrifice their landscape, heritage, and economic foundation are not the ones benefiting from the power being produced.  
If there were direct benefits to Montgomery County residents—like rate reductions, infrastructure upgrades, or reinvestment—we might be having a different conversation. 

What’s more concerning is that Montgomery County is being disproportionately targeted. Our open land and proximity to key parts of the power grid make us an easy choice for solar developers looking to maximize profit with minimal resistance. But this "easy target" approach overlooks the long-term impacts on our residents, our heritage, and our local economy. 
Equally troubling is the erosion of local control. Traditionally, decisions about land use and zoning have rested with local planning boards—people who live here and understand the values and priorities of the community. But the state’s current framework for large-scale renewable projects has stripped that authority away. Now, distant state entities—not the people of Montgomery County—are determining what happens on our land. 

We are not anti-renewable energy. Solar has a role in New York’s energy future. But it must be done responsibly- with appropriate scale, location, and community input. Rural counties like ours should not be forced to carry the burden of meeting statewide energy goals at the cost of our own economic health and identity. 
As a community, we must advocate for smarter policies—ones that uphold landowner rights while also protecting our farmland, preserving our viewsheds, and maintaining local control. This is about balance. It’s about making sure that the rights of the few don’t outweigh the needs of the many. 

Montgomery County deserves a voice in shaping its future. Let’s ensure that future includes renewable energy, yes—but not at the cost of who we are, and certainly not without fair benefit to the people who call this county home. 

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