STATE LEGISLATORS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS GATHER TO SUPPORT NOISE AMENDMENT TO HB-5232

The amendment addresses specific noise thresholds and offers language about notices and hearings

Representative Jaime Foster (D-Ellington, East Windsor, Vernon), Representative Carol Hall (R-East Windsor, Enfield), Senator Saud Anwar (South Windsor, Ellington, East Windsor, East Hartford), local leaders, and residents gathered at the Legislative Office Building on Monday to support an amendment to HB-5232, An Act Concerning Solar Projects Throughout the State, as well as HB-5361, An Act Concerning the Siting of Renewable Energy Sources in the State. The amendment to HB-5232 addresses specific noise thresholds and offers additional language about notices and hearings to address due process. The amendment was offered by Representatives Foster and Hall, who both represent East Windsor, the epicenter of most solar arrays in the state.

The amendment includes:

• Any municipality may establish a procedure for the chief elected official to receive complaints from members of the public concerning excessive noise emitted by any solar installation located within the municipality. “Excessive noise” means a sound that exceeds 55 decibels for more than four hours or exceeds 60 decibels at any time.
• Any chief elected official who receives more than three such complaints shall give written notice to (1) any developer or operator of such solar installation, (2) the zoning commission in each municipality in the state, and (3) the Connecticut Siting Council. On and after the date that a developer or operator receives notice, they shall be barred from constructing or installing any new solar installation in the state, other than solar installations that received final approval from the Connecticut Siting Council or relevant zoning commission before the notice date.
• Any chief elected official of a municipality may, in addition to receiving complaints from members of the public, file complaints concerning excessive noise emitted by any solar installation located in such municipality directly to the Connecticut Siting Council.

“Issues like this arise when state government steps in and removes the authority of our municipalities to make local decisions because they ‘know better,'” Rep. Hall said. “Residents who are now forced to live in proximity to these large-scale solar developments deserve a permanent solution to mitigate the unbearable noises being produced by them. The Connecticut Siting Council needs to take a better look at the types of projects they’re approving and the impact they will have on the area, especially those in people’s backyards. I’d like to see them defer these decisions back to the local planning and zoning boards for their approval.”

“The Town of East Windsor is highly sought after to host solar arrays, due to the large amounts of open space in town,” said Rep. Foster. “However, these arrays are quite loud and can take a toll on the quality of life of East Windsor residents who live near them. This amendment puts more power in the hands of town leaders and residents when it comes to noisy arrays.”

“Issues like this arise when state government steps in and removes the authority of our municipalities to make local decisions because they ‘know better,'” Rep. Hall said. “Residents who are now forced to live in proximity to these large-scale solar developments deserve a permanent solution to mitigate the unbearable noises being produced by them. The Connecticut Siting Council needs to take a better look at the types of projects they’re approving and the impact they will have on the area, especially those in people’s backyards. I’d like to see them defer these decisions back to the local planning and zoning boards for their approval.”

“Renewable energy is critical as we try to have a comprehensive approach to reducing the impact on our environment and climate from energy sources,” said Senator Anwar. “However, some of these technologies, especially the inverters associated with solar panels and solar farms, as well as the transformers, are associated with some noise and vibrations that can impact the quality of life of citizens. It is important as we assess the benefits and look at the pros and cons of technology that we focus on the neighbors and communities that can be impacted by some of these noises. These disruptions are recognized and policies need to focus on minimizing their negative impact.”

Andrea Mascaro, an Ellington resident who lives within one mile of two solar arrays in neighboring East Windsor, came to the press conference armed with a recording of the constant buzzing of one of the arrays.

“Can you imagine hearing this constantly? You can’t get away from it when it’s in your backyard,” she said. “We need to have some say living in such close proximity.”

Local leaders support the overall HB 5232, which helps give them a voice in the solar siting process.

“I want to thank Representative Foster for her hard work on this issue,” said East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza. “Towns and cities do not have local control when it comes to siting or regulating grid-scale solar projects, and the concerns that we have raised over the last several years with the Siting Council have not been addressed.  Representative Foster’s bill will provide a means for municipalities to be able to advocate for our constituents in a meaningful way.  I’m hopeful that the legislature will take Representative Foster’s lead on this and give us the tools to meet the needs of our constituents.”

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