Solar Bylaw Working Group Invites Public Comment on the Protection of Forests and Farms
Agrivoltaics: Food crops under raised solar panels. Photo: American Farmland Trust
In April 2022 Town Manager Paul Bockelman charged the Solar Bylaw Working Group (SBWG) to develop a solar zoning bylaw. The charge emphasized that “the SBWG will engage the community to ascertain community values.” To that end, consultants GZA conducted a community survey last spring with these notable results as reported by Michael Lipinski in the Amherst Indy on April 28, 2023.
• 90% of respondents want to see large scale solar installed on parking lot canopies and rooftops.
• Little support for large-scale industrial solar on forest land
• Little support for large-scale industrial solar on agricultural land or open space
• Some respondents showed interest in Dual-Use Agriculture/Solar.
• Most respondents support a strong solar bylaw that strictly regulates where solar can be constructed.
• Most respondents were aware of carbon emission targets and believe they are important.
The working group’s most recent meetings have debated what protections to offer forests and farms. The final SBWG meetings present an opportunity for the public to voice an opinion, either through email or a comment during the public comment portion of the meetings. The next two meetings are scheduled for Monday, September 25, from 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday October 3 from 4-6 p.m. on Zoom.
Contacts:
Stephanie Ciccarello, Director of Sustainability (ciccarellos@amherstma.gov)
Christine Brestrup, Planning Director (brestrupc@amherstma.gov)
SBWG Webpage: https://www.amherstma.gov/3677/Solar-Bylaw-Working-Group
This solar “industry” is run by those with billions of dollars. Their main objective is to gain even more $$$$. It is a sad state of affairs to realize how true the statement is, that profit before people is their only driving force. What is an even greater mind blow is how they hide behind “green” energy-by making statements that they actually care about Mother Earth. Shutesbury is facing a similar attack on our forests and water supply. How can it be accepted that land is “private” firstly, and that the “landowners” ought to be able to as they please? Pratt Corner Rd where a 30-acre solar field was installed over sacRED grounds, was just the beginning of turning Shutesbury into an industrial solar plant. 🙁
SBWG has cancelled the Sept 25 meeting out of respect for Yom Kippur
The next meeting is on Tuesday, Oct 3 from 4-6 pm
The concluding meeting most likely will occur on Monday, Oct 16, time TBA
SBWG could simply start the Sept 25 meeting an hour later…. Will they please reconsider?
Rob, no one wants to attend a zoom meeting after 24 hours of atonement!
Of course! But maybe SBWG could simply start the Oct 16 meeting an hour later (7pm)…?