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Town administrator says proposed BESS developer must first meet Planning Board; regional review options discussed
Summary
Town Administrator Cristina Ferrera told the Select Board that Mission Clean Energy should meet first with the Planning Board on a proposed battery energy storage facility; she said regional planning commission PVPC will consult with other communities and Springfield Water & Sewer expressed concern about risks to its infrastructure.
At the June 16 Blandford meeting, Town Administrator Cristina Ferrera described repeated outreach from Mission Clean Energy regarding a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) project and told the board the company should meet with the Planning Board first.
"This company has been very pushy calling various people every day, posting emails every day," Ferrera said, explaining Blandford’s process and that the Planning Board Chair recommended the company go through a Planning Board pre-application meeting before any special informational session with the Select Board.
Ferrera said the town has discussed an option for Blandford to file an Intervenor Petition to formally participate in state or regulatory proceedings if the project advances, and that Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) would consult with other regional planning commissions about similar cases. She added that Springfield Water & Sewer had been updated and remained interested in the matter because of "potential risks to their infrastructure."
Ferrera also reported an instance of mowing within the 100-foot wetlands buffer near Birch Meadow Brook and said Springfield Water & Sewer planned to place boulders and signage to prevent further trespass and environmental impact.
The Select Board agreed the Planning Board should be the first point of contact for project proponents and asked staff to continue coordinating with PVPC and regional authorities. No formal action on a BESS project was taken at the meeting.
