CT Siting Council Backs Solar Growth in East Windsor

Connecticut Siting Council Approves Expansion of Gravel Pit Solar Facility

The Connecticut Siting Council made a significant decision on Thursday, approving an expansion of the Gravel Pit Solar facility in East Windsor. The project will add 150 acres to the existing site and increase its power output by 30 megawatts. This development is part of a broader push for renewable energy in the state, with the council highlighting several benefits of the expansion.

Benefits of the Expansion

In its draft opinion, the Siting Council emphasized that the expansion would provide “additional renewable capacity to meet future demand; reduce dependence on imported energy resources; diversify the state energy supply mix; and provide additional generation capacity during times of high demand.” The council also noted that the project does not raise significant environmental concerns.

Gravel Pit Solar, owned by New York-based DESRI Holdings, is currently the largest solar installation in Connecticut and one of the largest in New England. The company has been actively involved in other solar projects, including two smaller arrays in Simsbury and Sprague.

Community Reactions

Despite the council’s approval, the expansion has faced growing opposition from local residents. Christina Dahl, an East Windsor resident and leader of the opposition group East Windsor Citizens for Responsible Solar Development, expressed her concerns. She pointed out that East Windsor already hosts more than a quarter of all grid-scale solar power produced in Connecticut.

Dahl argued that the expansion would convert dozens of acres of farmland previously used for crops like corn and tobacco into solar panels. She suggested alternative locations such as brownfields, rooftops, or parking lots instead. While she supports solar power, she believes it should not come at the expense of the town’s character and quality of life.

Public Concerns and Opposition

Opposition to the project has grown significantly over recent months. A petition opposing the expansion gathered 2,223 signatures on change.org, with endorsements from state Sen. Saud Anwar, a Democrat from South Windsor. Local officials initially welcomed the project in 2020, but concerns about preserving farmland and property values have since emerged.

Several small fires have occurred on solar fields in East Windsor, raising safety concerns, although no damage has been reported to neighboring properties. Only one fire was linked to the Gravel Pit facility.

Erin Stewart, a Republican candidate for governor and former mayor of New Britain, recently filmed a video expressing her opposition to the project. She highlighted the transformation of East Windsor’s rural landscape into an industrial energy zone, impacting the town’s agricultural heritage and scenic character.

Additional Projects and Future Considerations

DESRI is also working on another solar project in East Windsor and Ellington called Saltbox Solar. This proposed 100-megawatt project is expected to power around 15,000 homes. In the days leading up to the vote, Anwar and other residents submitted written testimony to the siting council.

The council, established in 1971, oversees the placement of power facilities and critical infrastructure projects in the state. It has the final say over projects within its jurisdiction, which can override local control. Anwar’s letter emphasized the ongoing issues reported by residents related to the impact on safety and quality of life, suggesting that new solar developments should consider other municipalities.

While the council acknowledged public comments, its decision reflects a balance between expanding renewable energy and addressing community concerns. The expansion of Gravel Pit Solar marks a pivotal moment in Connecticut’s transition toward sustainable energy, with both supporters and critics weighing in on its implications for the future.