ChallengeroftheDay

Do you know who appoints the Executive Director of ORES? The ORES Executive Director is who wields the power to approve or deny final permits for massive solar and wind complexes that are destroying our towns statewide. They hide the political "chain" of bureaucratic appointments from general public knowledge. The lack of transparency makes it harder to know who's responsible for everything we're seeing with ORES. Don't worry, allow me to explain the chain simply right now: The governor appoints the 7 PSC (Public Service Commission) commissioners. They are confirmed by the NYS Senate. The PSC designates one commissioner to serve as the "PSC Chair." The PSC Chair is ALSO the CEO of the Department of Public Service. ORES is hidden within the Department of Public Service since it is not a standalone agency, but rather, an office with "rotating staff." We only know this from FOILs they've been forced to answer. The PSC Chair appoints the Executive Director of ORES. Right now, that individual is Jason Zehr after Zeryai Hagos suddenly resigned in April 2026. The only person you democratically elect in this chain is the governor of New York State. The governor then curates bureaucrats who have more power over your day-to-day life than many elected officials do in our state. It's important to know the political motives behind ORES. It's also important to know who's responsible for NOT listening to the lawsuits, pleas, nonprofits, town supervisors, and county attorneys calling out the unconstitutional elements of ORES. Right now, that's @GovKathyHochul.