Project
Blandford Solar
EnergyProject Size
Markets
Overview
Blandford Solar is the proposal by Blandford Sun, LLC and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (NEER) to install a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) electric generating facility in the Town of Blandford in Hampden County, Massachusetts. The Project will be located on a 32.94-acre site within an approximately 187-acre parcel south of Otis Stage Road and State Route 23.
The Project includes solar PV modules and inverter/transformer pads, an access road, an electrical interconnect, and two stormwater infiltration basins. It also involves approximately 7.49 acres of tree clearing to reduce shading and for construction of the wetland mitigation area.
Contribution
Along with preparing an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) for the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), Epsilon performed regular site visits, inspections, and meetings with NEER representatives to provide guidance relative to compliance with applicable regulatory approvals and policy, reporting findings to the Blandford Conservation Commission in fulfillment of EPA Construction General Permit documentation requirements. Epsilon additionally filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Commission regarding abutters to the project site.
An essential component of the permitting process was the preparation of the compensatory wetland mitigation plan. Epsilon provided information to NEER on local sources for planting materials, soil amendments, and provided oversight of the mitigation area construction process. Epsilon similarly conducted Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) inspections to document and manage stormwater discharges to wetlands and buffer zones from the site.
Achievement
Once completed, the project is expected to provide approximately 4.7 MW of sustainable energy to communities in Western Massachusetts. Epsilon routinely met project expectations, completing its work below the original budget.