Of Course, This Would Work, Too; Even Better

And, then of course, there is this way to stop the solar "farm" from destroying a forest.

I read the article below, and a smile sprung to my face immediately.  They got it.  Not only did the selectmen get it, they got it en masse, and acted in public for an immediate moratorium on "non-municipal solar voltaic installations".

They then took it further, and are seeking the help of our state senator, our state representative, and the Governor, to enact "special moratorium legislation" for solar voltaic installations.

The words that made me smile the most were these:

“The Sturbridge board of selectmen believes that ‘as of right’ locating of solar photovoltaic installations in heavily forested residential districts presents a clear and present danger to the health, safety and welfare of our residents, our environment and the future of our residential neighborhoods.”


The selectman made it clear that the idea of removing a forest in order to put in a "green energy" project was not only wrong in this instance, but would be wrong at any time.

The selectman worked together for one purpose.  The cause was one that all felt passionate about, and that sealed the deal.    

Keep the passion flowing.

Moratorium on solar farms moves forward

By Craig S. Semon TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

STURBRIDGE —  Selectmen last night made major strides in keeping solar farms out of forested residential districts by moving a moratorium article forward and soliciting support from key politicians for special legislation.

In a 5-0 vote, the board moved forward a special town meeting article to put an “immediate” moratorium on all non-municipal solar photovoltaic installations.

The article, which will be voted on Jan. 7, is asking for an 18-month moratorium until a solar farm bylaw is approved at town meeting by June 2014.

The solar farm bylaw would prohibit farms in forested residential districts and forested commercial/industrial districts.

Saying solar farms in residential districts are “in direct conflict with the principles of smart growth and smart energy,” and present “a potential threat to the health and safety,” selectmen, in a 4-1 vote, agreed to seek help from Gov. Deval Patrick, state Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, and state Rep. Todd Smola, R-Warren,, for special moratorium legislation.

In their letter to the three, selectmen say the current, rapid move toward solar development has placed large tracts of heavily forested lands in jeopardy of significant clear-cutting.

The letter also says the ability of proponents and developers to leverage the state’s exemption of solar farms installation from local zoning restrictions is contrary to nearly all smart growth and smart energy principles championed by the state.

“The Sturbridge board of selectmen believes that ‘as of right’ locating of solar photovoltaic installations in heavily forested residential districts presents a clear and present danger to the health, safety and welfare of our residents, our environment and the future of our residential neighborhoods,” the letter says.

In another 5-0 vote, selectmen authorized town counsel to try to block proposed, non-municipal solar farms in forested residential districts.