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Assemblyman Chris Tague from Schoharie, New York, has strongly criticized the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act. The Act, aimed at facilitating the development of renewable energy generation and transmission facilities, has faced backlash for its impact on upstate farmland. Tague expressed his concerns about the prioritization of renewable energy over agriculture, stating, “If farmers don’t have land to work on, we’re left without the product they produce, plain and simple.” He highlighted the potential use of farmland for farming purposes and the negative consequences of converting it into sites for renewable energy projects. Tague emphasized the importance of preserving agricultural land, warning that neglecting the farming industry would have severe repercussions, as he stated, “No Farms, No Food.”
Tague criticized the state for undermining the agricultural sector, pointing out that the programs replacing farmland with energy facilities do not benefit the affected communities or taxpayers. He urged his colleagues to recognize the critical role of agriculture in sustaining the state's food supply and economy, cautioning that neglecting this sector could jeopardize food production and employment opportunities. Tague's impassioned plea for the protection of upstate farmland underscores the ongoing debate over balancing renewable energy development with the preservation of vital agricultural resources.
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