Templeton voters ban ‘regulated technologies’ that would convert waste into fuel

Templeton voters approved an amended zoning change that forbids commercial processes to convert waste or post‑use materials into fuels or other hydrocarbon feedstocks in the town's two industrial zoning districts.

Supporters said the measure is meant to stop industrial‑scale fuel‑from‑waste operations, while opponents and town counsel warned the Attorney General or state agencies could review or challenge the new bylaw.

Backers framed the change as a preventive step. "This article has essentially the same meaning, but we have clarified the intention," said Rachel Herman, who presented the revised language to town meeting. "The intention of the article all along has been to prohibit commercial, industrial zones from having any kind'… storage of large tanks of hydrogen gas or oil, rail…