Town's First Selectman Calls for Meaningful Reform of the CT Siting Council

East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza testified before the legislature's Government Administration and Elections Committee on Wednesday on HB 5551 (An Act Concerning Proceedings of the Siting Council and Other Requirements Concerning Certain Utility Expenditures.) pointing out to lawmakers that East Windsor ....."is now the home of 25% of the state's sited renewable energy in Connecticut, and all of that without any involvement from the local government in deciding what or where those projects go."

HB 5551 proposes changes to the operational structure and procedures of the Connecticut Siting Council. Bowsza spoke in support of the bill saying that he has deep concerns about the Council's recent actions on solar projects in his town. "The Siting Council's propensity to site these projects specifically in East Windsor, despite local objections is really becoming a little bit reckless,” said Bowsza. He also told lawmakers that he would like to see changes in the Siting Council's conflict of interest policies.

On March 12th, the East Windsor Board of Selectman voted to authorize the town attorney to file an administrative appeal on behalf of the town regarding the Connecticut Siting Council’s recent approval of the expansion of the 485-acre Gravel Pit Solar.