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Eversource team fields resident questions as Blandford officials review legal options for substation expansion
Summary
Eversource representatives met with the Blandford Select Board July 28 to discuss a proposed grid expansion; Town Counsel is preparing confidential opinions on the company’s EFSB petition and resident petitions, and counsel advised the town on local permitting for smaller Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
Representatives from Eversource (NSTAR) attended the Blandford Joint Select Board and Planning Board meeting on July 28 to discuss a proposed expansion of power-grid infrastructure and to answer questions from residents.
Town Administrator Cristina Ferrera told the board that Town Counsel is preparing two confidential legal opinions: one addressing Eversource’s substation expansion petition currently on the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) docket and a second advising on steps related to a resident-submitted petition. Ferrera said counsel warned the board that while the town may petition for intervener status at the EFSB after a local public hearing, legal grounds for intervention may be limited given Eversource’s existing legal occupancy and regulatory allowances, and that expert consultation could be costly and difficult to secure.
Counsel also clarified permitting pathways for Battery Energy Storage Systems in Blandford. For BESS below 25 megawatt-hours (MWh), local permitting is required first; the facility can proceed to state review only if the town defers jurisdiction. Counsel recommended a review of local zoning bylaws—particularly in light of Blandford’s Green Community designation—to identify possible by-law updates that would strengthen local review authority.
The Select Board did not take a formal vote on Eversource matters at the July 28 meeting. Ferrera said counsel will prepare recommended next steps for the town; the board has scheduled a presentation on Aug. 11 from Emma Riley of Mission Clean Energy about a proposed 200 MWh BESS project. No formal timeline for intervention or further action was announced at the meeting.
