Green Energy or Green Spaces? Debates Rages in New Milford

NEW MILFORD, CT — What's a town to do when that green energy that everyone urges them to cultivate comes at a price of some of their green spaces?

It's become a recurring theme in southwestern Connecticut and throughout the state, and now has become an issue in New Milford. The Town filed a new petition on Feb. 28, the second in just over a month, citing grave concerns about the “massive” adverse environmental impact of the Candlewood Solar project, being built by Ameresco Candlewood Solar LLC.

It follows the Town’s petition submitted Jan. 16 to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) seeking a stricter permitting process for the project’s proposed Stormwater Pollution Control Plan.

The project, which would generate about 20 megawatts of power into the New England grid, would also clear cut 83.4 acres forest on Candlewood Mountain. Residents fear its impact on recreation and nature, as well as their property values. Pilots who frequent the nearby airport have fretted about the glare that the 60,000 solar panels in the array would cause.

A number of environmental groups, including Weantinogue Land Trust and the Rivers Alliance of Connecticut have noted that 54 of those 83 acres are dense core forest, which increases the project’s effect on the land and waters there.

Margaret Miner, executive director of the Rivers Alliance, in comments on the project filed with DEEP, wrote that although her group was normally an advocate for green energy initiatives, "this project is sited in a highly sensitive environmental area, and the stormwater plan poses clear risks to the state’s waters and obligate species."

"The Town of New Milford filed this petition out of grave concern for the potential negative impact this solar power project could have on a sensitive area of Candlewood Mountain and on the town’s environment and its citizens broadly," New Milford Mayor Pete Bass said in a news release.

Time is running out. The state Siting Council has 60 days to make a decision on the development and management plan. That plan was submitted on Jan. 28. The town has requested an extension.

"To safeguard our town, we must take every step possible to mitigate the harm this project would cause," Mayor Pete Bass said.