Smart Solar Amherst
Supporting responsible, environmentally sound solar development in Amherst
Important! Important! Important!
Survey on Solar Siting in Massachusetts From DOER
Dear Solar Stakeholder,
You are invited to complete a brief survey regarding siting of solar energy projects in Massachusetts as part of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ (“DOER”) Technical Potential of Solar Study. Your feedback will help us understand priorities and concerns about solar siting and will be used to develop suitability criteria for the spatial analysis portion of the study. We also invite you to share the survey link with your networks so we can hear feedback from as many stakeholders as possible.
A Spanish language version of the survey will be available shortly. It will be shared via email and posted on DOER's website when available. Translation to other languages will be available upon request.
More information on the Technical Potential of Solar Study, including opportunities to participate in a series of public meetings, can be found on DOER’s Website.
Please direct any questions regarding the survey and/or study to Kerry Judge at kerry.judge1@mass.gov.
Regards,
Samantha Meserve
Acting Director, Renewable and Alternative Energy Division
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Solar Bylaw Working Group
Friday, October 7, 2022
LIST OF TOPICS: Review/Vote Minutes from 8/31/22 and 9/23/22; Staff Updates; Finalize Questions for WSPC on Solar & Water White Paper; Solar Assessment Update; Workplan and Engagement with Planning Department; Developing Bylaw Outline; Process of SBWG Deliberation; Future Topics for Expert Presentations; Next Meeting – Schedule and Agenda Items; Public Comment; Adjourn
Date:
October 7, 2022
Time:
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: This virtual meeting will be located at: https://Zoom.US/j/89975120440 Webinar ID: 899 7512 0440 To join by telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/kzAjalZAg
Address:
Amherst, MA 01002
District 2 Meeting
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
LIST OF TOPICS: Brief update on Elementary School Building Project; Overview of the Massachusetts Climate Plan and the work of the Solar Bylaw Working Group (SBWG) and Energy and Climate Action Committee (ECAC) regarding Solar Siting in Amherst; New District Lines for District 2; Open Questions and Discussion / Public Comment; Topics Not Anticipated by the Chairs 48 Hours Before the Mtg.
Date:
October 12, 2022
Time:
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Time Details:
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: To join this meeting via Zoom teleconferencing: Go to: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/85805355378 To make a comment click on “raise hand” To join by phone dial: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 When Prompted enter Webinar ID: 858 0535 5378 When asked for participant ID press # To make a comment press *9 on your dial pad
Contact:
413-259-3001
Email:
Councilor Griesemer
Cost:
Free and open to the public.
Public Hearing on Proposals for Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030 - April 15, 2022
Watch and listen as the state of Massachusetts shares the need to PROTECT forests and PLANT new trees to fight climate change by increasing carbon sequestration.
Video of Presentation on YouTube
Start around the 49 minute mark for the section covering the importance of natural and working lands.
RETHINKING WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW - New Developments on Where Solar Should be Sited
Important Solar Siting Joint Statement from MassAudubon, the Nature Conservancy, the New England Forestry Foundation and others.
For the past year, Smart Solar Amherst has been a leader in the effort to develop a comprehensive solar bylaw and solar siting policy in the town. We look forward to supporting the efforts of the study committee and town staff in this endeavor. We would like to be clear about one of the many solar siting considerations that will be part of this study. We DO NOT support clear cutting forest. We believe it makes no sense to destroy large swaths of forest ecosystems in order to produce “clean energy”. Mature forests are the best tools the Earth has to absorb and store carbon dioxide. We need to preserve them and limit the siting of industrial solar to more appropriate sites.
Just some of the reasons to avoid Clear-Cutting:
Increases the risks of soil erosion. Trees slow down water currents, preventing rill formation.
Leads to sedimentation and nutrient leakage to water bodies.
Destroys forest ecosystems depriving wildlife of natural habitats and decreasing biodiversity.
Interferes with the water cycle.
Raises water temperature in the riparian zones due to lack of shade, which adversely affects aquatic animals.
Worsens air quality. Trees enrich the atmosphere with oxygen and take carbon dioxide. Clear-cutting reduces both benefits.
Removes carbon sinks. Tree and forest soils accumulate carbon. When forests are cut, carbon is released, adding to global warming and climate change.
Provokes slides. Tree roots hold the soil in place. After clear-cutting, the earth becomes loose, which often leads to slides.
Clear-cutting is deforestation. Permanent forest cuts without regeneration may result in forest losses, land devastation and desertification.
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.
