To the editor: 

The Westport Planning Board meeting of September 18th meeting was the CVE-NA solar power plant application hearing for construction of a solar power generation plant on lower Drift Road. Comments by Gary Mauk, and David Cole were particularly interesting.

Mr. Mauk offered his excessively broad interpretation of the Massachusetts Dover Amendment, which exempts all solar energy systems from zoning restrictions. This law fails to differentiate solar systems in terms of size or explicitly allow consideration of environmental impact. The property in question is significant in area, 19 acres, and the placement of a power plant on this site will adversely affect the environment, health, safety, and welfare of neighbors on both sides of Drift Road, not just abutters.

Let’s allow our zoning laws to work, and protect the value and character of Westport residential areas. This is a power generation plant we are discussing, not a home rooftop system.

Mr. Cole offered his opinion on the economic benefits of local photovoltaic solar generating plants that accrue to Westport finances.

His forecast of $6.25 million in PILOT funds (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes) over 20 years may appear to be beneficial, but not when other costs to residents are considered. Most significant is the premium price all Westport citizens pay for electric power. Solar power is expensive and drives up electric power costs for our area. The Massachusetts state average per KwHr is $0.165 versus our Eversource rate of $0.223.

This $0.058 difference equates to the extraordinary amount of $48.3 million over 20 years, 7.7 times the forecasted PILOT benefits. This is not my idea of “beneficial.”

Construction of the CVE-NA solar power plant project, charging uncompetitive electric rates, disturbing neighboring properties, and increasing deer activity on Route 88 is not progress for Westport. This project should be terminated.

Elliot F. Whipple

Westport