Simsbury Rep. John Hampton Calls For Solar Farming Transparency

From the Connecticut General Assembly: Simsbury’s State Representative John K. Hampton today called on state and local officials to ensure a transparent and deliberative process as an out-of-state energy company seeks to develop the largest solar farm in New England along County and Hoskins roads in Simsbury.

“Residents feel like this proposal was dropped on their heads,” Rep. Hampton said. “I can assure Simsbury residents that I share their concerns and am working to create an open, transparent process.”

Deepwater Wind is seeking to construct Tobacco Valley Solar Farm on 280 acres in northern Simsbury.

“I support clean energy, but there must be an open, deliberative process where local property owners have a chance to weigh in,” Rep. Hampton said. “I have heard from residents who abut this property – they feel like they have been shut out of the process. The RFP was submitted more than a year ago and abutting property owners tell me they weren’t alerted.”

Rep. Hampton is discussing legislative options with colleagues in the House of Representatives and hopes to vote on an amendment before the end of the legislative session on Wednesday.

“My goal is to make sure every voice is heard on this issue. There should be no rubber stamps,” Rep. Hampton said.

The proposed 26 mega-watt solar farm falls under the regulatory umbrella Connecticut State Siting Council.

Rep. Hampton said, “This is not a rural area. There are neighborhoods that are directly impacted by this solar farm. We need to slow down this process and make sure Simsbury residents are included in the decision-making process.”

Simsbury is holding an Open House on the solar farm at Eno Hall at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7.

Rep. Hampton will co-host an informational forum with Sen. Kevin Witkos for residents on the project and the state Siting Council process after the close of the legislative session.

Details on the forum will be released when available.

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