Topsham energy committee engages Vermont Law clinic to draft battery ordinance

The Topsham Energy Committee confirmed a signed engagement with the Vermont Law & Graduate School Energy Clinic to help prepare a battery energy storage zoning ordinance and asked the clinic to produce either a marked-up version of the town's draft or an entirely new draft for review.

"We did get a signed engagement letter between the town and Vermont Law and Graduate Schools Energy Clinic," said Stephanie, the committee co-chair, summarizing the starting point for the working session. Kurt Maland, a visiting professor with the clinic, told the committee the clinic could deliver a track-changes markup or a new draft depending on its review: "We'll shoot for getting you a version either off the draft you shared us, like, a good track change version with comments or maybe an entirely new one," he said.

The nut of the committee's request focused on scope and timing. Committee members noted Maine's recently published model language was a useful starting point but lacked definitions and many details the town may want. Kurt said the clinic would assess whether to treat accessory, distribution-connected, and transmission-connected battery systems in one ordinance or to draft separate rules for different categories.

Committee members asked that the clinic prioritize accuracy over speed. Mark, a staff member, said it would be useful if a working draft were ready for the committee's August meeting; Kurt agreed and pledged to "try to get this done by August," while noting unexpected scheduling had delayed the team's work.

Next steps: the committee will share the town's current solar ordinance and site-plan requirements with the clinic; the clinic will send a draft or marked-up text ahead of the August meeting for a focused line-by-line working session.