We are deeply concerned about the future of the small town of Worthington and other rural communities across western Massachusetts. We are troubled by what appears to be a lack of understanding and empathy from state government regarding the impact of large-scale photovoltaic projects (LSPVP) currently being forced onto the residents of the hilltowns. These projects threaten the character, environment, long-term sustainability of small towns that already face economic and infrastructure challenges, and the health and well-being of their residents.
The current approach gives the impression that communities west of the Connecticut River are treated as expendable — valued primarily as convenient locations for industrial development rather than as places where people live, work, and care deeply about their land. This perceived apathy toward rural western Massachusetts is unacceptable.
Clean energy should not come at the expense of small towns that lack the political power or resources to defend themselves. Meaningful community input, environmental stewardship, and respect for local priorities must be part of any responsible energy policy. About 30 acres of land was leased to Blue Wave Solar for a LSPVP complete with a BESS (battery energy storage system) with possibly three more being considered. The proposed LSPVP concerns many of the residents of this town. We have been told by our town’s legal representative and our Planning Board chair “there is nothing we can do.” Many of us are finding this difficult to swallow.
Worthington is a very small rural town so any environmental or water-related issue will affect most of the town. Residents rely on private wells and groundwater as their only source of drinking water. Some rely on wells located near the top of a hill that provide water to homes affected by a toxic spill that occurred in the 1980s and are potentially threatened by the proposed solar project that only recently became public knowledge.
Watts Brook flows through the proposed LSPVP and empties into the federally designated Wild and Scenic Westfield River. Runoff from the project could directly impact this waterway. Our water commissioner is concerned about drought conditions we’ve experienced for several years. There will not be enough water to suppress any fire occurring at the proposed solar sites. Extinguishing a fire in a LSPVP is challenging. They pose an added danger of electrocution. Our local volunteer fire department is comprised of only eight personnel and currently lacks both the training and specialized equipment necessary to respond safely and effectively to fire incidents. Without a water supply, Worthington will not remain a viable town.
We urge Gov. Maura Healey to reconsider how these projects are planned and approved, and to engage directly with the communities affected before irreversible decisions are made. We invite the governor to visit and see for herself whether sacrificing valuable farmland, forests, and wildlife is truly worth it.
Debora Phillips and Ken Gooch live in Worthington.