State Schedules Wind Energy Hearing At BCC

Staff Reports04:16PM / Wednesday, January 15, 2014Print Story | Email Story

The Department of Public Utilities is developing guidelines for permitting wind projects.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state's renewed look at wind siting regulations will return to the Berkshires on Jan. 27.

The Department of Public Utilities scheduled the hearing on Monday, Jan. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Berkshire Community College. The DPU has taken up the research into how to choose and permit the location of land-based wind energy facilities.

The DPU is leading this investigation that became a hot topic statewide in 2011, when Gov. Deval Patrick proposed a law that would create one group to permit all of the state's wind-turbine projects. That law was opposed in the Berkshires because there are numerous wind sites identified in area and the statewide group could eliminate local control.

That bill never make it through the legislative process. Now, the DPU is particularly looking at land-based wind energy issues such as design, environmental and human health, safety, construction impacts, socio-economic impacts, decommissioning and the review process for wind projects.

In the end, the department will be crafting guidelines for permitting authorities to follow in handling proposed projects.

This most recent investigation includes the Department of Energy Resources, Clean Energy Center, Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Utilities.

The Berkshire Community College hearing is just one of five the group is holding across the state. The first hearing was on Thursday at Bunker Hill Community College; second on Monday at Mount Wachusett Community College; the third will be at Barnstable High School on Jan. 22; BCC hosts the fourth; and the public hearings conclude with Gloucester High School on Jan. 29.

If those unable able to attend, the DPU is accepting written comments until Feb. 4. That date was already extended from a proposed December deadline.

DPU Wind Siting Investigation 2013/2014

Tags: alternative energy, permitting, public hearing, wind siting,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

11:41AM / Friday, December 19, 2025

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond.

According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond.

The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million.

"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.

The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.

The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.

The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here.

View Full Story