Feds — and a country music star — slam Gov. Hochul’s push to blanket upstate NY farmland with solar energy panels: ‘On-brand elitism’

Governor Kathy Hochul's ambitious plan to cover upstate New York's farmland with solar panels to replace natural gas is facing criticism from federal officials and a country music star, who argue it's an elitist move that overlooks local concerns. The plan would require a staggering 24,000 acres of solar panels to match the output of a single natural gas facility, sparking debates about the practicality and economic impact on rural communities. Critics argue this initiative overlooks the economic realities of farming regions and could disrupt local agriculture. This clash highlights a broader tension between renewable energy goals and regional economic interests.