Country singer John Rich criticises Hochul's renewable energy policies

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 21:46 · Archive

Country musician John Rich has released a song criticising New York Governor Kathy Hochul's renewable energy policies.

Country musician John Rich, aged 52 and a member of Big & Rich, has released a song titled 'Dear Kathy' criticising New York Governor Kathy Hochul's approach to renewable energy. The song is directed at the Democratic governor as she runs for re-election.

Rich has joined local landowners, activists and officials challenging New York's Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES), the state agency that reviews and permits major renewable energy and transmission projects. In the song, he speaks on behalf of farmers and landowners protesting large-scale solar and wind projects on upstate farmland. He argues that ORES has undermined local control and put family farms, rural communities and private property rights at risk.

In an interview, Rich questioned why Hochul would oppose these communities, asking what farmers had ever done except 'pay taxes and put food on your table'. He suggested the governor either has 'a vindictive spirit' or is driven by greed, pointing to the companies building the solar fields. Rich stated that planned renewable energy projects across upstate New York total over 100 square miles of solar panels.

ORES was created in 2020 under former Governor Andrew Cuomo and generally handles renewable energy projects capable of producing 25 megawatts or more.

How it is being reported

• John Rich slams Hochul’s renewable energy agenda, defends NY farmers: ‘Takes away our voice’Last month, Rich released his new country song "Dear Kathy," which is directed at the Democratic governor, who is running for re-election.New York Post · 3 Nov, 21:32
• John Rich says Kathy Hochul is ‘running over’ NY farmers with renewable energy agendaJohn Rich's country song "Dear Kathy" takes aim at Governor Kathy Hochul over renewable energy policies he says are silencing upstate New York farmers.Fox News · 3 Nov, 13:30

In this story: John Rich · Kathy Hochul · New York · Office of Renewable Energy Siting

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