(1)
Purpose.
(a) Promote
renewable energy facilities at Devens in order to:
1. Reduce reliance on non-renewable energy
sources,
2. Reduce greenhouse
gases, and
3. Improve air
quality.
(b) Promote
public health and further the sustainable redevelopment.
(2)
Permitted Uses.
For purposes of 974 CMR 4.10, REFs include only free-standing solar
photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal facilities and building-integrated wind
and/or solar facilities.
(a) PV and solar
thermal REFs are permitted in all zoning districts except Open Space and
Recreation.
(b) Building-integrated
wind and/or PV REFs are permitted in all zoning districts.
(3)
General
Requirements. REFs shall comply with the pertinent subsections of
974 CMR
1.13: Performance Guarantees
974 CMR 3.02 through
3.04,
974 CMR 4.00, and
974 CMR
6.00: Signs and the requirements set
forth in 974 CMR 4.10(3)(a) through (e).
(a)
All utility connections shall be underground. Electrical facilities for utility
interconnections may be above-ground only if required by the utility
provider.
(b) REFs and associated
structures shall be screened to the maximum extent feasible using a combination
of topography, vegetation, clustering and any other methods acceptable to the
DEC.
(c) Signs on a REF or at the
site of the REF shall comply with
974 CMR
6.00: Signs and identify the owner
and provide a 24-hour emergency contact phone number. REF's shall not be used
for advertising purposes.
(d) REFs
shall comply with 780 CMR: Board of Building Regulations and
Standards.
(e) For all
REFs the Applicant shall provide:
1. Evidence
of liability insurance in an amount and duration, sufficient to cover loss or
damage to persons and property caused by the REF.
2. Authorization from MassDevelopment (Devens
Utilities) for an interconnected customer-owned generator. Off-grid systems are
exempt from this requirement.
3. A
letter of approval from the Devens Public Safety Officer/Fire Chief.
4. A handbook for operating and maintaining
the REF, safe access to the REF in accordance with the requirements of the
Devens Public Safety Officer, and the REF stormwater management system.
Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, measures to ensure the paint
is in good repair, the structure is well-maintained, and the site is
secure.
5. A letter signed by an
Engineer certifying that the REF complies with all local, state and federal
laws and regulations.
6. One or
three line electrical diagram detailing the associated components, and
electrical interconnection methods, with all National Electrical Code compliant
disconnects and over current devices.
7. Performance guarantees for removal of
REF's and restoration of the site in the event of catastrophic failure,
collapse, or other destruction of all or part of the REF which renders the REF
obsolete and/or inoperable. The Director may review the guarantees periodically
and require additional surety to be posted. The DEC may waive this requirement
for municipally or state-owned facilities. REF performance guarantees shall
comply with
974 CMR
1.13: Performance
Guarantees.
(4)
Decommissioning.
For purposes of 974 CMR 4.10 "decommissioned" shall mean the Applicant has
stopped operating and/or maintaining the REF.
(a) In the event the Applicant has decided to
stop operating the REF and has notified the DEC by certified mail of the
proposed date of discontinued operations and plans for removal of the REF and
associated facilities, the Applicant shall.
1.
Physically remove from the site no more than 150 days after the date operations
were discontinued, all REF's and associated apparatus, structures, equipment,
security barriers and transmission lines and
2. Restore and fully stabilize the site to
the satisfaction of the DEC. The DEC may allow the landscaping or designated
below-grade foundations to remain in order to minimize erosion and disruption
to vegetation, and
3. Dispose of
all solid and hazardous waste in accordance with local and state waste disposal
regulations.
(b) In the
event the DEC determines that a REF has not been operating and/or maintained
for at least one year and the Applicant has not notified the DEC as required by
974 CMR 4.10(4)(a), The DEC and/or MassDevelopment may enter the REF site and
perform the removal at the Applicant's expense.
(5)
Requirements Specific to
Certain REFs.
(a) Applicants for
Ground-Mounted REFs shall provide:
1. Site
Plan(s) and details of the PV installation stamped by an Engineer showing the
proposed layout of the entire system and any potential shading from nearby
structures/vegetation.
2.
Documentation/details of the major system components to be used, including the
PV panels, mounting system, and inverter;
3. Name, address, and contact information for
proposed system installer;
4.
Documentation of actual or prospective access and control of the project
site;
5. All means of shutting down
the PV installation shall be clearly marked. The Applicant shall identify a
responsible person for public inquiries throughout the life of the
REF.
(b) Applicants for
Building-Integrated REFs shall provide:
1.
Documentation signed and/or stamped by an Engineer, demonstrating that the
building is structurally sufficient to support the permanent installation of
the proposed REF(s). At a minimum, there should be an analysis that addresses
weight, vibration, wind load, and snow load.
2. Elevation drawings of the building with
the proposed REF(s) installed, viewed from north, south, east, and west (if
systems are visible from the road and/or abutting properties).
3. Building schematic detailing point(s) of
connection and associated attachment methods/supports for the proposed
REF(s).
4. Specification sheets for
the proposed REF(s)(inverters, controllers, disconnects,
etc.).
5. Design
approval letter from MassDevelopment.
(6)
Ground-mounted Wind Energy
REFs: (Reserved)