HARTFORD — The Town of Hartford has elected not to intervene in a proposal for a 15-acre solar development in a parcel off of Route 14.
The permitting process for the development is overseen by the Vermont Public Utilities Commission, but the Town of Hartford, as well as abutting landowners, could choose to become party to the application process. Having found that the project was in line with the Town Plan, the Planning Commission decided to abstain from stepping in.
The Hartford Energy Commission issued its own statement in support of the project.
The 4.125 megawatts that would be generated from the project and sold to Green Mountain Power, Vermont’s biggest utility provider, could produce enough electricity to power around 1,000 homes. Solar developments like this one, which would be among the largest in the area, strengthen the resilience of the entire New England energy grid. This is especially important in high-demand moments like last week’s winter storm, which left more than 75,000 Vermonters without power Friday.
But the Hartford Energy Commission also encouraged MHG, the Manchester, Vt., developer behind the proposal, to consider multiple uses for the land.
“We would love to see them diversify the use of the land for the next 30 years for things other than solar generation,” Energy Commission member Jesse Pollard said.
He mentioned the possibility of sheep grazing on the parcel or planting blueberry bushes among the panels.
Frances Mize is a Report for American corps member. She can be reached at fmize@vnews.com or 603-727-3242.