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Resources for Cities and Towns
MEPA
The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) is a law designed to review and minimize potential environmental damage from large developments. It is a valuable resource for towns and cities who are threatened by large industrial solar projects.
LEARN MORE ON OUR MEPA PAGE
A Better Way
MA Audubon/Harvard forest Study on impact of industrial solar in forests, and alternative solutions in place of clearcutting for solar, lays out statewide plan that meets emissions goals while protecting forests.
Summarized version: (Growing Solar, Protecting Nature)
Models and Guides
Mass. DOER: Model Zoning for the Regulation of Solar Energy Systems
Guide for MA cities and towns to create standards for solar development.
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission: Best Solar Practices Guide
Providing standards to assist communities with the regulation and development of Solar Photovoltaic Installations.
Resource guide on how best to manage these installations in your towns, weighing both economic benefit and environmental impact.
About Community-Driven Solar
Discusses the range of incentives and policies while providing examples of operational community solar projects, this guide will help communities to plan and implement successful local energy projects. In addition, by highlighting some of the policy best practices, this guide suggests changes in the regulatory landscape that could significantly boost community solar installations across the country.
Hydrology Reports
Belchertown, MA.
Examples of documents put forward to the planning board and conservation commission as part of a collective effort to have the Town deny the permits needed for construction of a solar array.
Northfield, MA.
Hydrology report used by residents to fight an industrial solar project.
Legal Resources