Town’s Solar Growing Pains

Landfill photo by Diane Lederman, Republican staff.

Former Amherst Landfill Solar Project Raises Concerns
Republican Newspaper/Masslive.com
By Diane Lederman

Commentary

As most people know, Amherst, Massachusetts is a fairly unique town in many ways. Known as a very progressive town, with no lack of engaged, opinionated residents, Amherst is one of those rare towns that actually votes its own, non-binding, opinions on state and national issues, such as war and health care. It is also a community that takes to heart green and sustainable sensibilities.

The idea to use otherwise unusable land for an array of photovoltaics is not new, but it is enlightened. I have often looked at old landfills, such as the large one that can be seen driving south on Interstate 91 toward Hartford, and thought to myself, solar panels could be installed there and produce a lot of power for the city.

Having said that, the number one priority at all times is the safety of the residents of the community. The residents who have expressed concerns are right to do so. If the landfill cap were to be disturbed or damaged, any benefit to the environment made by the use of solar would be completely dwarfed by the harm done by contamination leaking out from the site.

It is wise to take an optimistic, but thorough and measured approach here and I think the town has got it right. They are investigating the impact and will alter their plan accordingly.

It would be fantastic to see other cities and towns move in this ‘outside the box thinking’ direction. Even in these difficult budgetary times, a slow and steady move toward more green and sustainable practices by our governments would benefit us all in the long run.

- Jason Burkins