New Milford Clean Water Coalition
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New Milford battery farm during a Jan. 22 meeting opposing the project on a open Zoom by New Milford Clean Water Coalition
New Milford Clean Water Coalition
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New Milford battery farm during a Jan. 22 meeting opposing the project on a open Zoom by New Milford Clean Water Coalition

Flatiron Energy/Treebeard BESS Project LLC is proposing a 140MW/560MWh with 208 Tesla Megapack 2XL battery storage containers and associated equipment located at 2 Timothy Lane in New Milford, CT.
The facility will utilize Tesla Megapacks (2XL) consisting of 208 units of which each unit is approximately 28 ft long, 5 ft deep, and 9 ft tall, weighing 98,000lbs each with 39 inverters and 34.5KV transformers which will be housed in 20'x10' cabinets.
This facility will be connected to the grid with 990' of overhead electric line and 860' of underground electric line. The West Aspetuck River (a class A watershed) runs in a North to South direction through the project site where the access road crosses the river via a bridge. The applicant plans on widening the access road to 20' and re-constructing the bridge to service the facility/operation. This project is being proposed directly over OUR MAIN New Milford Aquifer, in our Aquifer Protection area. Peagler Hill and Indian Field well fields, owned by Aquarion Water Company, supply water to roughly 12,000 New Milford customers. That system continues down RT7 and interconnects into the Brookfield system and beyond. Due to unforeseen circumstances surrounding previously discovered harmful PFAS substances and low yields in certain parts of town, the main system is being expanded to become the primary potable water source for most of New Milford. The project encumbers a plethora of regulated wetlands and upland review areas. These environmentally sensitive areas act as our "water purifier" and flood protection. They serve as groundwater recharge areas for our Main Aquifer and contain important wildlife habitat. The project is located in the 100- and 500-year flood plain, potentially taking up critical storage space in flooding situations. In the event of flooding, the ecosystem, its soil, and surface water are at great risk from harmful hazardous pollution. The National Diversity DataBase lists the property as containing endangered, threatened, and special concern for species and important natural communities.

To move forward with Flatiron and any New Milford battery farm, the NMCWC president said the coalition feels strongly about having no development on the current Aspetuck Ridge site and to find a technology alternative to lithium for battery energy storage.

We are reaching out to provide an update on upcoming meeting details that have been posted today.
Our position continues to be the following for the purpose of the town council meetings.
The following statement reflects the position being requested for the public record:
We respectfully request that the Town of New Milford, once a party to the Connecticut Siting Council application, review, regulate, and restrict this project pursuant to Section 16-50x of Chapter 277a of the Connecticut General Statutes. The proposed facility is located over the town’s primary Aquifer, within the Aquifer Protection Area, in regulated wetlands and upland review areas, and within designated floodplains. The site also contains sensitive wildlife habitat. In addition, the project is located within an R-40 residential zoning district and raises concerns related to land use compatibility, property values, and potential impacts to homeowner insurance availability and cost. In addition, we request the town immediately hire a third-party environmental professional to review the Flatiron proposal.
WE ARE A FEDERALLY REGISTERED 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT.
YOUR KIND DONATION IS 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN PROTECTING THE WATERSHED .
