Published Jan. 3, 2025 in The Greenfield Recorder
New Leaf Energy, a Lowell-based developer of renewable energy and energy storage projects, over the summer decided to pull the plug on a controversial facility proposed for 68 Wendell Depot Road in Wendell, citing changes in the interconnection process and the state Legislature’s failure to pass a climate bill.
The company had been interested in constructing a 105megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility, which proved to be controversial in town.
“It’s huge news for our town, [which] has been very vocal about it not being a good fit, not only for our town but the whole area,” said Molly Doody, chair of Wendell’s Planning Board.
The proposed project spawned the creation of No Assault & Batteries (NAB), a local citizens’ committee whose members felt it was dangerous and inappropriate for their small town. The group was the driving force behind a bylaw, overwhelmingly adopted by Wendell voters at a Special Town Meeting in May, that was crafted to deal with the licensing of battery energy storage systems, including those powered by lithium-ion batteries. The state Attorney General’s Office rejected the bylaw for failing to comply with procedural safeguards embedded into state zoning laws, but the Wendell Selectboard plans to appeal that decision.
During a Dec. 18 executive session, Selectboard members opted to contract with Springfield- based law firm Doherty Wallace Pillsbury & Murphy PC. Town Coordinator Glenn Johnson-Mussad said Wendell residents had been vocal in their support of the bylaw, and the board felt obligated to try to appeal the ruling.
— Domenic Poli
-- No Assault & Batteries is a citizen effort founded in October 2023 to protect the town of Wendell and surrounding region, population and natural environment by preventing construction of a 105MW lithium battery energy storage system planned by New Leaf Energy Inc. The project was cancelled by New Leaf on August 6, 2024. See our website at https://nabunited.org/ for information.