Solar Power Proposal Ignites Falmouth Furor

FALMOUTH, MA — A proposed solar farm is generating a different kind of heat, as developers and town officials spar over plans for the facility near Cape Cod Country Club.

Developer PureSky Energy on Tuesday accused Planning Board Chairman John Druley of pushing “unreasonable restrictions” on the project, according to CapeNews.net. Other board members criticized private conversations he held with electric utility Eversource about the possible siting of power lines.

The project involves 139 acres of land on Theatre Drive and Boxberry Hill Road, including some of the existing golf course. As proposed, solar panels would cover 57 acres, while 42 acres would be conserved and donated to the town. There would also be space for battery storage facilities, transformers and other equipment.

Druley, a member of the country club, has urged that the project use underground conduits instead of above-ground lines and poles. At times, Tuesday's discussion grew "heated," according to the CapeNews.net story.

The Falmouth Planning Board has held four public hearings on the solar-plant proposal, and a fifth is scheduled Feb. 24.