Plainfield Conservation Commission Continues Solar Hearing, Orders Independent Peer Review

PLAINFIELD — November 26, 2025 — Plainfield Conservation Commission orders independent engineering review of a proposed 20-acre solar and battery storage project. The commission voted to continue its public hearing on New Leaf Energy's application at 66 North Union Street, announcing it has hired engineering firm Gutlow to conduct a peer review of the project's stormwater and grading plans, funded by New Leaf. Commission members read through 14 technical questions and answers from conservation consultant Ed Stockman and New Leaf, covering issues including construction phasing, wetland boundary delineation, and sediment control. New Leaf representative Brandon Smith told the commission the site carries no mapped critical or priority habitat designations, with the only species restriction being a seasonal tree-cutting limit for the Northern long-eared bat. Public commenter Laurence Young argued the project poses unacceptable risk regardless of study outcomes, citing lithium-ion battery fire danger and the absence of a local public water supply, and questioned whether conditions could be enforced if the project is sold to a new owner. The hearing continues December 17, with soil survey data and the peer review expected before then.