STATE DEEP SAYS "Candlewood Solar Project in New Milford Shouldn’t Proceed"
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a determination Oct. 20 that represents another critical setback for a controversial 18 MW solar photovoltaic facility planned for Candlewood Mountain.
The project has been deemed a threat that could lead to the “extirpation” of a species on Connecticut’s endangered, threatened, and special concern species list.
That represents a change in status for the project’s impact, which prompted DEEP Environmental Analyst Dawn M. McKay to determine “that the Project should not move forward.”
The project has been deemed a threat that could lead to the “extirpation” of a species on Connecticut’s endangered, threatened, and special concern species list.
That represents a change in status for the project’s impact, which prompted DEEP Environmental Analyst Dawn M. McKay to determine “that the Project should not move forward.”
OCTOBER 6 TOWN FILING
Quinn Report “makes clear that Candlewood Solar’s ill-conceived project—regardless of its exact megawattage or its precise limits of work—will kill and extirpate an invaluable threatened species in Connecticut while destroying its essential habitat.”
WHY WE FIGHT
- Candlewood Solar is owned by Massachusetts-based Ameresco. According to Dun & Bradstreet, the company had $866.93 million in revenue in 2019.
They chose the wrong location to locate this plant.
- Only 815 feet away from Candlewood Lake, this project has no approved “Storm Water Management Plan.”
Will New Milford taxpayers end up paying for damage from erosion, runoff and improper drainage
to our lake and homes?
to our lake and homes?
- Seventy acres of core forest and fields will be destroyed and covered by 60,000 solar panels.
That’s more than 50 football fields, seen from New Milford, Bridgewater, Sherman and
Washington.
Washington.
- Fragile ecosystems, wildlife and neighboring properties will be forever impacted.
Property values may decrease as much as 20 percent for those closest to the installation. Who
will pay for that?
will pay for that?
- Road reconstruction due to damage by logging trucks and other heavy equipment is estimated at $3 million.
Candlewood Solar has taken out a $100,000 bond “just in case” there is damage.
- Decommissioning costs are projected to near $1 million and could be more. Candlewood Solar has not said how this will be paid.
As a limited liability company, there is no guarantee that Candlewood Solar will still exist. Will
New Milford taxpayers have to step in at the end of the project?
New Milford taxpayers have to step in at the end of the project?
- The power will be sold to a Massachusetts company.
You will not see any reduction in your electric bills from this plant.
While we are concerned about climate change and recognize the benefits of solar power,
a deforested Candlewood Mountain is not a proper location for this utility.
We have no choice but to fight this project and appeal the decision. We agree with the Town of New Milford and hundreds of area residents that the Siting Council was wrong when it gave Candlewood Solar the green light.
To date outstanding legal bills near $60,000 – and continue to climb.
We are appealing Candlewood Solar's approval by the Siting Council in the courts.
We are participating at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
as Candlewood Solar tries for the FOURTH time to receive approval for their stormwater management plan.
The process is lengthy and ongoing. The trial may take years more.
Your help is needed to continue the fight to defend the health, safety, welfare
and environmental integrity of our community.
Please join us.
a deforested Candlewood Mountain is not a proper location for this utility.
We have no choice but to fight this project and appeal the decision. We agree with the Town of New Milford and hundreds of area residents that the Siting Council was wrong when it gave Candlewood Solar the green light.
To date outstanding legal bills near $60,000 – and continue to climb.
We are appealing Candlewood Solar's approval by the Siting Council in the courts.
We are participating at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
as Candlewood Solar tries for the FOURTH time to receive approval for their stormwater management plan.
The process is lengthy and ongoing. The trial may take years more.
Your help is needed to continue the fight to defend the health, safety, welfare
and environmental integrity of our community.
Please join us.
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For More information contact:
Rescue Candlewood Mountain
RescuetheMountain@gmail.com
917-273-6903
Rescue Candlewood Mountain
RescuetheMountain@gmail.com
917-273-6903