The Broadleaf Solar Project and its potential impact on Granby and its waterways is an ongoing concern to residents.
For more than a year Broadleaf has signaled a desire to build a solar farm—60 percent of it will be located in Granby with the other 40 percent located in East Granby. Because of the nature of the development, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC), created by statute thereby bypassing local planning and zoning and inland wetlands and waterways.
Broadleaf has periodically communicated with the town but, as of June 18, had not filed a permit application with the CSC nor had they shared many details with the town.
Once an application for a permit is filed with the CSC, Granby will have a better idea of what to expect and be able to oppose the permit application or accept it and work with the developer to work on the details of an agreement that would scope the project and secure tax revenue for the town.
To a large degree, because state statute calls for the CSC to receive the application and complete the necessary due diligence on behalf of Granby and the State of Connecticut before a permit is issued, the town does not control this application.
In mid-June, it was announced that Broadleaf may file a permit application with the CSC by the end of 2025.
Editor’s Note: An opinion piece regarding Broadleaf Solar appears in this month’s issue.