Public meeting on proposed Belgrade solar project
Address
The Town of Belgrade on Nov. 8 received the following notice of intent to file and public information meeting regarding a potential solar farm development:
Please take notice that Maine DG Holdco, LLC (the "Applicant"), with its principal office at 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209, (202-558-2340) intends to file a Site Location of Development Act permit application and a Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) permit application, pursuant to the provisions of 38 M.R.S.A. §§ 481-490 and 38 M.R.S.A. §§ 480-A et seq., respectively. These applications will be filed with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
These applications are to allow for construction and operation of the Belgrade Solar Project located on Oakland Road (Routes 8 and 11) in Belgrade, Maine. The proposed project will consist of solar arrays capable of generating up to approximately 4.95-megawatts of alternating current. The project will also consist of access roads, underground electrical collector lines, and a short segment of overhead electrical line. The solar arrays will be surrounded by perimeter fencing, and the total fenced project area will include approximately 36 acres. The project will result in wetland impacts associated with clearing vegetation and grubbing in wetlands (as needed) to install panels, as well as clearing in wetlands to prevent trees from shading panels. The proposed wetland impacts will require a NRPA permit from the DEP.
The Applicant will hold a public meeting on the project to educate the public about the project and the regulatory process and to seek public comment on the project. The public meeting will be held on November 17, 2021, from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Center for All Seasons, located at 1 Center Drive (along Route 27 in Belgrade's village).
The Applicant intends to file these applications with the DEP on or around November 22, 2021. The applications will be available for public inspection at the DEP's office in Augusta, during normal working hours. A copy of each application may also be seen at the municipal office in Belgrade, Maine. Written public comments may be sent to Bob Green at the DEP after filing: DEP, Bureau of Land Management, Central Maine Regional Office, 17 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.
A request for a public hearing or a request that the Board of Environmental Protection assume jurisdiction over these applications must be received by the DEP in writing no later than 20 days after the applications are found by the DEP to be complete and are accepted for processing. A public hearing may or may not be held at the discretion of the Commissioner or Board of Environmental Protection. Public comment on the applications will be accepted throughout the processing of the applications.
Questions about the applications may be directed to Kerri Neary of Maine DG Holdco, LLC at 202-558-2340.
