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Selectmen back net-metering extension language and request EPA meeting on Collins & Aikman site
Summary
Farmington selectmen voted 5-0 to support staff advocacy for legislative clarification extending municipal net-metering protections and were informed that staff have requested a face-to-face meeting with the EPA regional administrator about the Collins & Aikman Superfund site; details and timing will be reported as arranged.
The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted Feb. 19 to support Planning Director-recommended legislative advocacy seeking clarity to extend municipal net-metering protections for a 20-year recovery period. Interim Town Administrator Paul Sanderson briefed the board on the bill and its status in the New Hampshire Senate and said Kyle Pimental recommended the town sign on to the industry’s request for clarity on the 20-year net-metering period. The motion to support the recommendation passed 5-0.
Sanderson also told the board that Planning Director Kyle Pimental has requested a meeting with the U.S. EPA regional administrator concerning the Collins & Aikman Superfund site and that lower-level staff previously met with EPA and NH DES. Chairman Gerry Vachon said the regional administrator indicated interest in a face-to-face meeting in Farmington and the town will work to set a date and invite selectmen to attend.
Why it matters: the net-metering clarification could affect municipal solar and distributed-generation projects by ensuring a predictable project participation and revenue period; the EPA-level meeting is a potential avenue to accelerate or focus federal attention on remediation and property disposition matters at a long-standing contaminated site in or near the town.
Next steps: staff will prepare the requested letter of support for the net-metering clarification and coordinate meeting logistics with EPA; the board will be notified of meeting timing and invited to participate.
