By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — Share the warmth. Share the savings.

Some members of the Casco Planning Board suggested that the town’s selectmen pass a moratorium on solar energy. The idea was that the town should benefit from parcels being used as solar energy farms. After all, there are elderly residents on fixed incomes who could use help with rising electric bills, planning board member Stan Buchanan said.

“I am all for renewable energy. But I want to make sure the Town of Casco receives something for scarring our landscape. That is not a thing of beauty — to see a large array. I am not against it. Don’t get me wrong,” Buchanan said. “What’s in it for Casco? Are we going to reap the benefits?”

Planning Board member Potter said that Town Attorney Natalie Burns should be consulted to check “about a percentage of power going to the town. We had this thought on a previous solar power project that came before us. I do believe that we should get some kind of power to us in some way.”

Potter later mentioned a moratorium until something was put in place that assured benefits to the town. 

A moratorium would stop any future applications from being approved until such time the town came up with an ordinance governing solar energy projects. 

However, the planning board made no formal request of the Casco Board of Selectmen to pass a moratorium on solar energy. In fact, it is highly unlikely that a moratorium would be supported. 

On Monday, the planning board tabled the solar energy project site plan presented by representatives from Longroad Energy, which is based in Boston and also has offices in Portland, and Stantech Consulting Services, Inc.  

The proposed project is off Meadow Road (Route 121) after the junction of Route 11. The solar farm would start about 60 to 100 feet from the road, leaving forested land as a buffer between the installation and the road. Thirty-five acres would be the size of the farm. 

Basically, the board requested a more detailed map which showed the distance of the solar energy equipment from the roads and the distance from the abutting properties. Another piece of information that the board requested was the sound study. 

Also, the board wanted to get an answer from the town attorney on what the town can and cannot request as part of a solar-energy project. 

The five people who made up the quorum on Monday were: Buchanan, Potter, James Macklin, Eugene Connolly, and Alternate 1 Ryan McAllister. 

The people answering questions about the project were: Chad Allen, development manager for Longroad Energy, and Kara Moody, an agent with Stantec Services.

The proposed project would require the clear-cutting of about 35 acres that would be used for the installment, and maintained as meadowland, according to Allen. 

The equipment would be solar array trackers that would move with the sun. 

“In the morning, they face east and they end facing west. At any given time, the computers will determinethe location that makes the most power. In some cases, during the cloudy days, they may lay flat to get the most diffused light from the sun. The computer figures it out. The technology is designed to recognize snow blowing. They will shake to get snow off,” Allen said. 

After 25 years, the solar equipment would be decommissioned, according to Allen. 

Casco Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) John Wiesemann asked a question that had been a concern of some citizens: Would solar batteries be stored on the land? 

The answer was no. 

During the conversation, when Buchanan asked about the benefits to the town, Wiesemann said the land would no longer be in tree grow, which had sheltered the owners from paying taxes. The development would bring property-tax revenue to the town and also building permit fee, he said. 

McAllister said that here must be contractual buyer for the power before even getting the project started. He asked if there was a buyer and who that was. 

Allen answered.

“In terms of the buyer: For a project to start construction and receive the financing it needs from the bank, as part of the lending process, the bank wants to make sure there is a buyer. This project does have one. We are under an NPA with that company and cannot divulge that at this time,” Allen said. 

“The companies that don’t have an NPA: Bath Iron Works, Hancock Lumber, and Walmart,” he said. 

One resident asked if there were example of the mechanical, moving solar arrays. 

“None that are operational in the State of Maine. We are currently doing four projects that are this size in Augusta, Marmouth, Baldwin and Harmony,” Allen said. “We believe this technology is appropriatefor this area. Our goal is to maximize generation.”

One resident named Bill spoke after asking questions earlier in the evening. 

“I think this is neat. I cannot wait to see it,” he said, adding the Central Maine Power will have to accept all the electricity that is generated.

Then, he addressed the board, with “you” meaning the town.  

“You are going to get taxes. You are going to get the land out of tree growth. You are going to have this commercial establishment. It is going to get assessed and taxed accordingly. Talk about benefits— you tax revenue will go up substantially.”