THE WEEKLY REVEAL

Hello! In this issue:

• The U.S. needs more solar. But in rural areas with the space, developments are prompting contentious fights.
• The cost of one of the biggest fake art schemes in modern U.S. history.
• Thanks to everyone who supported our newsroom in 2023!

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST

Sunblocked: Resistance to Solar in Farm Country

To meet clean energy goals by 2050, the U.S. needs more than 10 million acres of solar development – and most of that is expected to be built in rural areas. Surveys show that the vast majority of Americans support renewable energy development. But across the nation, plans for rural solar projects are met with resistance.

In this week’s episode of Reveal, reporter Jonathan Jones travels to Copake, New York – the site of one of the most contentious large-scale solar fights. Some residents say the planned Shepherd’s Run development is too big, too unsightly and could harm the nearby environment. Others blame misinformation for the dispute and point to the bigger picture: that it’ll take many solar projects like this to slow climate change. With the future of the project in question, Jones looks at the existing energy production system and how some agricultural communities are trying to make solar work on their land.

One Number to Know

$4 million

Back in 2007, John Howard spent $4 million on a Willem de Kooning painting, which for him was for a particularly poignant and sentimental piece. Then he took it to an expert.

“The guy calls me back in a day and says, ‘It’s a fake.’ ”

Howard had fallen prey to one of the largest fake art schemes in modern U.S. history – a scheme that netted more than $80 million for two galleries.

Listen: Fancy Galleries, Fake Art

In Case You Missed It

Ending on a Good Note

Thank you to the nearly 800 generous Reveal members who donated during our end-of-year campaign.

To the 400 members who are joining us for the first time, welcome! We take your commitment seriously, and we’re so grateful. And to the other half of longer-term members: Thank you for sticking with us and upping your giving at a critical moment.

With every check we enter and every online donation we process, we are filled with a deepening sense of gratitude for your support of our work. Your donations power riveting investigations that will serve the public good into 2024 and well beyond. Thank you!