Question and Submission History

We completely agree, and we want you to hold us to that standard. Since we do not live in Charlton, we rely on local residents to tell us what matters. We aim to protect the local environment and act as a good neighbor throughout this process.

Charlton was not chosen so much as the Carpenter Hill Substation was. The 345 kV and 115 kV transmission lines meet there, and it connects eastern and western Massachusetts. Because the project connects at an existing substation, it needs only a short line to the substation and no new long-distance transmission.

Each project is considered on its own merits, and cumulative burden is taken into account. The burden is high for this census block. A cumulative impact analysis is part of the state process and will become part of the public record. If the project is built, tree clearing outside the existing New England Power (National Grid) transmission right-of-way is committed at no more than 10 acres, on a 47-acre parcel.

The project will have visual and environmental impact. The design keeps battery equipment under 10 feet tall, sets it back from homes, and keeps existing trees for screening where possible. The nearest home is the landowner's, about 500 feet from the equipment area, which is well beyond the 200-foot minimum residential setback. Viewshed and acoustic studies are being completed and will inform the final design and mitigation. Erosion controls, stormwater management, and the limit of 10 acres of clearing outside the transmission right-of-way are committed, and construction traffic will be planned with the town.

After construction, protections for close neighbors, including screening, noise, night sky, and property value, and a structured post-construction review are Community Benefits Plan topics. They are under discussion and not promised yet. Tree replanting is a committed item, and the decommissioning bond covers removal and site restoration.

Data center. No, this is not a data center. Carpenter Hill Power is a battery storage facility. It stores electricity from the grid and releases it when demand is high. It does not generate power or burn fuel. The only data processed is for monitoring and controlling the operation of the system.

Air, water, and noise. In normal operation the facility gives off no smoke or emissions. Water use details have not been published. The main sound in operation is a steady hum from the cooling units, inverters, and transformers, and the sound study is in progress.

Light and views. A lighting plan has not been published. Night sky, screening, and noise for close neighbors are Community Benefits Plan topics under discussion. The equipment is under 10 feet tall and set back from homes, and existing trees are kept for screening where possible. It is still industrial equipment on a rural parcel.

Taxes. The town is expected to receive standard property taxes or a payment in lieu of taxes negotiated with the town. Tax and assessment research is in progress, and no figures have been published.

The project is industrial equipment on a rural parcel. The design keeps clearing outside the transmission right-of-way to no more than 10 acres of a 47-acre parcel, keeps equipment under 10 feet tall and set back from homes, and keeps existing trees for screening where possible. Close-neighbor protections, including screening, noise, and night sky, are Community Benefits Plan topics under discussion. Comments on the draft plan are open into 2027.

The comment is recorded in the engagement log. The project has not been approved, and the state's Energy Facilities Siting Board makes the final decision after public comment and hearings.