The development and management plan for the Candlewood Mountain solar project has been approved by the Connecticut Siting Council.  The Newstimes reports that the group also clarified its ruling from December 2017, stating the project would have little visual impact on the neighboring properties and the town park. 

The clarification was requested by the courts as part of a lawsuit appealing project approval. 

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection rejected the stormwater management plan in March even though the Siting Council said the project would not have a negative impact on the environment.  The development and management plan approval is conditioned on DEEP’s approval of the stormwater permit.  The company plans to refile its stormwater permit application with DEEP. 

Ameresco plans to install and operate 60,000 solar panels on the mountain to generate 20 megawatts of power that will feed into the New England ISO through the nearby Rocky River substation.  About 70 acres of trees could be clear cut.