WADING RIVER, N.Y. -- Solar energy ordinarily wins wide praise from groups that want to cut greenhouse gases.

But a proposed solar project at a defunct nuclear power plant in New York is stirring outrage by some because it requires chopping down 350 acres of woodlands.

The Long Island Pine Barrens Society says it's wrong to choose solar over forests.

The proposal at the defunct Shoreham nuclear power plant calls for generating up to 72 megawatts of solar energy, providing power for more than 13,000 homes.

They are hoping to plug into existing electric energy infrastructure on the Shoreham property.

The executive director of LI Solar Generation, LLC, which is proposing the project, promises to work closely with the community as the approval process goes forward.