Smart Solar Amherst
Supporting responsible, environmentally sound solar development in Amherst
Important Project Updates!
January 26 -- CRC, 6:30 PM -- Likely vote on Solar -- Public Comment is the time to comment. The Hearing has been closed so there will be no other Public Comment.
February 2, -- GOL, 9:00 AM -- If CRC completes their vote and both they and the Planning Committee have written their reports, then CRC will determine if the proposed temporary by law needs legal review and if that is completed or determined not to be necessary then CRC will determine if it is "clear, consistent, and actionable" and provide that decision to the Town Council
February 7 -- Town Council Meeting, 6:30 PM -- If all of the above happen, this will be the first reading
February 21 -- Town Council Meeting, 6:30 PM -- If first reading occurs on February 7, then the second reading and vote will
Forest and Solar Forum
Watch the entire Forest and Solar forum that Smart Solar Shutesbury hosted on December 12th
This is a highly educational event that goes into the science and social science behind the importance of saving our forests.
Entire program: 1:42:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg2NmMq1gr8
Below is a video made by Smart Solar Shutesbury that shows the local devastation caused by a much smaller solar project in Williamsburg than those proposed in Amherst, Shutesbury, and Pelham.
Not only was the initial flooding from the solar installation site catastrophic, but the remediation has compounded the damage to the forest, wetlands and waterways.
Emily Cohen video: 7min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DEvEU4BCKU
Town of Wendell Approves Solar Moratorium (Dec 1)
While the town of Amherst continues to debate a need for a large scale solar installation moratorium, another nearby town implements their own.
https://www.recorder.com/Wendell-voters-reject-cleanup-vote-adopt-solar-and-battery-storage-moratoriums-43823781
AMP Withdraws Application!
(Tues. Nov. 22) ASD Shutesbury MA Solar has WITHDRAWN its application to build a 45 acre industrial solar installation off of Shutesbury Road in Amherst, according to Town Manager Paul Bockelman.
In the meantime, progress on a large scale solar project moratorium in the town of Amherst continues…
Town officials to vet solar project moratorium bylaw in Amherst
Time for Action
On October 6, 2021 ASD Shutesbury MA Solar filed a notice of intent with the Town of Amherst Conservation Commission. Hearings are now in progress. Plans for the 45 acre industrial solar installation can be found here.
Now is the time to join the hundreds of local residents and dozens of environmental organizations that are in opposition to this project.
What you can do:
January 26 -- CRC, 6:30 PM -- Likely vote on Solar -- Public Comment is the time to comment. The Hearing has been closed so there will be no other Public Comment.
February 2, -- GOL, 9:00 AM -- If CRC completes their vote and both they and the Planning Committee have written their reports, then CRC will determine if the proposed temporary by law needs legal review and if that is completed or determined not to be necessary then CRC will determine if it is "clear, consistent, and actionable" and provide that decision to the Town Council
February 7 -- Town Council Meeting, 6:30 PM -- If all of the above happen, this will be the first reading
February 21 -- Town Council Meeting, 6:30 PM -- If first reading occurs on February 7, then the second reading and vote will
Forest and Solar Forum
Watch the entire Forest and Solar forum that Smart Solar Shutesbury hosted on December 12th
This is a highly educational event that goes into the science and social science behind the importance of saving our forests.
Entire program: 1:42:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg2NmMq1gr8
Below is a video made by Smart Solar Shutesbury that shows the local devastation caused by a much smaller solar project in Williamsburg than those proposed in Amherst, Shutesbury, and Pelham.
Not only was the initial flooding from the solar installation site catastrophic, but the remediation has compounded the damage to the forest, wetlands and waterways.
Emily Cohen video: 7min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DEvEU4BCKU
Town of Wendell Approves Solar Moratorium (Dec 1)
While the town of Amherst continues to debate a need for a large scale solar installation moratorium, another nearby town implements their own.
https://www.recorder.com/Wendell-voters-reject-cleanup-vote-adopt-solar-and-battery-storage-moratoriums-43823781
AMP Withdraws Application!
(Tues. Nov. 22) ASD Shutesbury MA Solar has WITHDRAWN its application to build a 45 acre industrial solar installation off of Shutesbury Road in Amherst, according to Town Manager Paul Bockelman.
In the meantime, progress on a large scale solar project moratorium in the town of Amherst continues…
Town officials to vet solar project moratorium bylaw in Amherst
Time for Action
On October 6, 2021 ASD Shutesbury MA Solar filed a notice of intent with the Town of Amherst Conservation Commission. Hearings are now in progress. Plans for the 45 acre industrial solar installation can be found here.
Now is the time to join the hundreds of local residents and dozens of environmental organizations that are in opposition to this project.
What you can do:
- Attend meeting of the Resources Committee of the Town Council on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 6:30 PM. They have posted their hearing on behalf of the Town Council for 6:45 PM.
- Display a lawn sign from Smart Solar Western Mass. Make it clear that you do not support the clear cutting of critical local forest ecosystems by industrial solar corporations.
- Spread the word to your friends and relatives. Make them aware of the project and encourage them to join our effort to preserve this critical natural area.
- Visit the site. It is presently still open to the public. Come experience 100 acres of pristine woodlands while you still can. (No longer possible, Cowls Land Company posted entire site on 1/07/22.)
About Smart Solar Amherst
WHO? Smart Solar Amherst is a coalition of Amherst residents that support the development of renewable energy sources, while protecting forests, native habitats, water, and biodiversity.
WHAT? W.D. Cowls has engaged AMP, a Canadian energy firm, to develop a large-scale 45-acre ground-mounted solar installation. This installation would require the clear-cutting of 45 acres of forest. The project would be close to 3 times the size of the largest solar array that presently exists in Amherst.
WHERE? This project would be installed on forested wilderness owned by W.D. Cowls, on the south side of Shutesbury Road, close to the Adams Brook, along the Pelham border in North Amherst.
WHEN? Initial contact with Shutesbury Road abutters was made by Cowls/AMP in December 2019, when the Amherst Conservation Commission was in the process of reviewing a required wetlands delineation study. Recently Cowls/AMP submitted a Notice of Intent to the town of Amherst Conservation Committee. This is the first step in a process that could lead to a special permit to develop a large-scale solar installation on this land.
WHY? As residents of Amherst, we are the guardians and beneficiaries of its natural resources. Though we support renewable energy, we have deep concerns about the serious and adverse effects of this project and its potential long-term harm.
We advocate for:
HOW? Organize and advocate for best science-based practices, and safe and environmentally sound use of our natural resources.
WHO? Smart Solar Amherst is a coalition of Amherst residents that support the development of renewable energy sources, while protecting forests, native habitats, water, and biodiversity.
WHO? Smart Solar Amherst is a coalition of Amherst residents that support the development of renewable energy sources, while protecting forests, native habitats, water, and biodiversity.
WHAT? W.D. Cowls has engaged AMP, a Canadian energy firm, to develop a large-scale 45-acre ground-mounted solar installation. This installation would require the clear-cutting of 45 acres of forest. The project would be close to 3 times the size of the largest solar array that presently exists in Amherst.
WHERE? This project would be installed on forested wilderness owned by W.D. Cowls, on the south side of Shutesbury Road, close to the Adams Brook, along the Pelham border in North Amherst.
WHEN? Initial contact with Shutesbury Road abutters was made by Cowls/AMP in December 2019, when the Amherst Conservation Commission was in the process of reviewing a required wetlands delineation study. Recently Cowls/AMP submitted a Notice of Intent to the town of Amherst Conservation Committee. This is the first step in a process that could lead to a special permit to develop a large-scale solar installation on this land.
WHY? As residents of Amherst, we are the guardians and beneficiaries of its natural resources. Though we support renewable energy, we have deep concerns about the serious and adverse effects of this project and its potential long-term harm.
We advocate for:
- Avoiding large-scale deforestation;
- Protecting public/private water supply;
- Protecting wild-life habitat, especially rare species;
- Protecting wetlands;
- Placing solar arrays on disturbed land, not forests;
- Creating by-laws that address the development of future solar installations.
HOW? Organize and advocate for best science-based practices, and safe and environmentally sound use of our natural resources.
WHO? Smart Solar Amherst is a coalition of Amherst residents that support the development of renewable energy sources, while protecting forests, native habitats, water, and biodiversity.
