The controversial proposal to put solar carports at the Newton Free Library parking lot was defeated by the Newton City Council, 15 to 8 Monday night.
UPDATE: Here’s the TAB’s story.
Newton City Council says no to solar carports at Newton Free Library
by Greg Reibman | Apr 5, 2016 | Environment | 20 comments
Ted, going forward, I agree the Waban Reservoir makes no sense, but I wonder if the intent was actually the cleared parcel above it to the northeast? Both parcels are shown in the document.
Also, regarding the Newton Centre lot, putting a solar carport there means a decades long commitment to keeping this most valuable public space as a parking lot. Maybe that’s why it wasn’t put on the Phase 3 list.
Ted, going forward, I agree the Waban Reservoir makes no sense, but I wonder if the intent was actually the cleared parcel above it to the northeast? Both parcels are shown in the document.
Also, regarding the Newton Centre lot, putting a solar carport there means a decades long commitment to keeping this most valuable public space as a parking lot. Maybe that’s why it wasn’t put on the Phase 3 list.
Any time we can save trees is a victory.
Any time we can save trees is a victory.
This is one of those examples of an empty gesture, with no substance. Car ports will do nothing to reduce energy dependence, or reduce the cost of electricity to consumers.
What is needed is the passage of legislation to allow municipalities to form their own energy utilities (H 2866). there are currently 41 such entities in MA, but none formed since 1926 (according to MAMEC).
Once formed in Newton, the city can partner with homeowners, to provide the use of their roof for solar power, offering ultra low loans or no up front cost, repaid by the excess electricity produced, which is returned to the grid. We can become the premier example of a municipality, providing energy for less, and producing much if not all of its energy from renewable sources.
(Think battery farms, i.e Elon Musk).
The last thing we should be doing at this point, is entering into leasing agreements with private companies.
This is one of those examples of an empty gesture, with no substance. Car ports will do nothing to reduce energy dependence, or reduce the cost of electricity to consumers.
What is needed is the passage of legislation to allow municipalities to form their own energy utilities (H 2866). there are currently 41 such entities in MA, but none formed since 1926 (according to MAMEC).
Once formed in Newton, the city can partner with homeowners, to provide the use of their roof for solar power, offering ultra low loans or no up front cost, repaid by the excess electricity produced, which is returned to the grid. We can become the premier example of a municipality, providing energy for less, and producing much if not all of its energy from renewable sources.
(Think battery farms, i.e Elon Musk).
The last thing we should be doing at this point, is entering into leasing agreements with private companies.
Nathan, site plans of the Waban Hill Reservoir and the Manet Road Reservoir were attached to the RFP. They are part of the bidding documents.* More importantly, however, the lack of transparency and engagement about what is on the list and why is a YUGE problem with the site selection process. My sincere hope is that the administration will engage the City Council before the final proposal is docketed so that we can avoid repeated skirmishes. While some of the sites appear noncontroversial, such as the flat roofs of schools and municipal buildings, city-owned parking lots that directly abut residential areas which may adversely impact people’s homes are also on the list. We need a collaborative process to ensure that viable sites are selected. If the Mayor has plans for the Newton Centre parking lot, I am all ears, but reusing that parking lot for some other use has been discussed since the old Mason school on that site was demolished over fifty years ago.
Listen, not every project will work well on every site. I felt, and still feel, that the solar carports proposed at the library overwhelm the site because they had to be squeezed onto one side of the parking lot because of the towering trees belonging to the cemetery which shade the lot. Other parking lots are vast seas of asphalt with little or no vegetation or shade, which to me would be ideal locations for carports.
Neal, the city’s solar program is not an empty gesture. The City Council previously approved 95% of the capacity that the administration asked for, including a 4 acre solar farm at the Rumford Depot, which comprises 67% of the currently proposed and existing projects on city-owned property. The RFP process for the remaining city-owned sites are for community sharing with homeowners for whom solar panels are impracticable. (I have already bought into a solar farm to be built elsewhere–it is a great idea.) A municipal electric company may also have merit, I just don’t know enough to say for sure.
*Public Buildings Commissioner Josh Morse told me this morning he was not even aware that Waban Hill Reservoir was included on the list of potential sites. He was also unaware that the Warren House parking lots, which are owned by NCDF and not the city, were also on the list. Josh is looking into it.
Nathan, site plans of the Waban Hill Reservoir and the Manet Road Reservoir were attached to the RFP. They are part of the bidding documents.* More importantly, however, the lack of transparency and engagement about what is on the list and why is a YUGE problem with the site selection process. My sincere hope is that the administration will engage the City Council before the final proposal is docketed so that we can avoid repeated skirmishes. While some of the sites appear noncontroversial, such as the flat roofs of schools and municipal buildings, city-owned parking lots that directly abut residential areas which may adversely impact people’s homes are also on the list. We need a collaborative process to ensure that viable sites are selected. If the Mayor has plans for the Newton Centre parking lot, I am all ears, but reusing that parking lot for some other use has been discussed since the old Mason school on that site was demolished over fifty years ago.
Listen, not every project will work well on every site. I felt, and still feel, that the solar carports proposed at the library overwhelm the site because they had to be squeezed onto one side of the parking lot because of the towering trees belonging to the cemetery which shade the lot. Other parking lots are vast seas of asphalt with little or no vegetation or shade, which to me would be ideal locations for carports.
Neal, the city’s solar program is not an empty gesture. The City Council previously approved 95% of the capacity that the administration asked for, including a 4 acre solar farm at the Rumford Depot, which comprises 67% of the currently proposed and existing projects on city-owned property. The RFP process for the remaining city-owned sites are for community sharing with homeowners for whom solar panels are impracticable. (I have already bought into a solar farm to be built elsewhere–it is a great idea.) A municipal electric company may also have merit, I just don’t know enough to say for sure.
*Public Buildings Commissioner Josh Morse told me this morning he was not even aware that Waban Hill Reservoir was included on the list of potential sites. He was also unaware that the Warren House parking lots, which are owned by NCDF and not the city, were also on the list. Josh is looking into it.
I’m surprised at the vote.
I’m surprised at the vote.
Ted:
I didn’t say the city’s solar program is an empty gesture, though I don’t think it is very comprehensive. I was referring to the solar carport; just read my second sentence.
If I am not mistaken, Rumford Depot was to be a private company leasing- which would be a monumental mistake.
The only bigger mistake for this city is the continued use of the most important property in Newton currently used as a parking lot, the center of Newton Centre.
Ted:
I didn’t say the city’s solar program is an empty gesture, though I don’t think it is very comprehensive. I was referring to the solar carport; just read my second sentence.
If I am not mistaken, Rumford Depot was to be a private company leasing- which would be a monumental mistake.
The only bigger mistake for this city is the continued use of the most important property in Newton currently used as a parking lot, the center of Newton Centre.
@Ted: I think we own the property at the Warren House and NCDF has one of those “99 year” leases.
@Ted: I think we own the property at the Warren House and NCDF has one of those “99 year” leases.
@Amy, you are correct. It is a 65 year ground lease. I looked the title up in the registry database. I don’t have a copy of the lease agreement, so I do not know if NCDF has exclusive use of the parking lots for the term of the lease.
@Amy, you are correct. It is a 65 year ground lease. I looked the title up in the registry database. I don’t have a copy of the lease agreement, so I do not know if NCDF has exclusive use of the parking lots for the term of the lease.
@Fig: Why are you surprised?
@Fig: Why are you surprised?
Information in Neal Fleisher’s comment “legislation to allow municipalities to form their own energy utilities..” is welcome – thought-provoking, wish more like it appeared in these ‘entrepreneurial’ times. In addition to city-owned utility, another option may be investor-owned entity where residents are investors, perhaps using retirement funds (roll-over to business startup) as seed funding. As Neal informs, cooperation of legislature is needed.
Information in Neal Fleisher’s comment “legislation to allow municipalities to form their own energy utilities..” is welcome – thought-provoking, wish more like it appeared in these ‘entrepreneurial’ times. In addition to city-owned utility, another option may be investor-owned entity where residents are investors, perhaps using retirement funds (roll-over to business startup) as seed funding. As Neal informs, cooperation of legislature is needed.