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Site Walk Scheduled For Proposed Killingworth Solar Facility

A commercial solar electric farm capable of powering about 400 homes may be coming to Killingworth. Right now, residents have a their chance to learn more and weigh in on the proposal for a facility south of Route 80 and east of Chestnut Hill.

On Oct. 23, 2018, Chatfield Solar Fund, LLC (CSF) filed with the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) for a 1.98-megawatt photovoltaic electric generating facility, which would sit on a 25-acre site.

“In many ways, a solar farm is an attractive option for this property,” said First Selectman Catherine Iino. “If it is approved, it will increase tax revenues while placing little burden on the town’s infrastructure and services.”

Iino will sponsor an informational meeting on Monday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Killingworth Library, 301 Route 81, at which “residents can ask questions and discuss the proposed installation with the solar developer.”

The council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Feb. 21.

The process begins with a site walk at 2 p.m., at which point the council will conduct a public field review.

Members of the public may attend the site walk. Boots are recommended, as the site is forested; cars can be parked on the south side of Route 80.

Following the site walk, CSC will hold an evidentiary session at 3 p.m. at Killingworth Fire Station 1, 333 Route 81.

The purpose of the session is to provide the petitioner, CSF, as well as the parties and intervenors the chance to cross-examine.

The third hearing session is the public comment session, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Killingworth Fire Station 1. The purpose of this session is to allow the public to make brief statements that will be entered into record.

In addition to the public comment session, CSC also encourages people to participate through contacting parties, intervenors, and/or elected officials.

“Some environmental issues have been set forth by residents and by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, and I would expect the CSC to address these concerns in its approval process,” Iino said. “I appreciate the siting council’s willingness to schedule hearings in Killingworth, and I look forward to learning more on Feb. 21.”

CSC will provide a verbatim transcript of the hearing, available with town clerk’s offices in both Killingworth and Madison.

Individuals who do not qualify as parties or intervenors are permitted to file a written statement with CSC within 30 days of the close of the evidentiary record.

According to CSC Executive Director Melanie Bachman, the evidentiary record “typically closes on the day of the hearing,” but can be extended if more hearings are necessary.

Both Iino and Madison First Selectman Tom Banisch were invited to attend the hearing on Feb. 21.

“I’m very supportive of expanding PV installations and happy that Killingworth is undertaking this project, which will add renewable energy to the grid,” Banisch said.

The photovoltaic electric generating facility in question, if approved, will be connected to Eversource Energy’s Green Hill Substation at 775 Green Hill Road, Madison.

For more information about the CSC hearings and site walk, visit www.ct.gov/csc.

Editor's Note: The original date for the informational meeting was Tuesday, Feb. 12, but had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.