HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from Salas in OppositionFrom: Anne Salas <annesalas@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2023 5:22 PM
To: McLaughlin, Charles; Nober, Karen; Connolly, Kathleen; Brigham, Anna; Ziino,
Genevey; Kristine Clark; paulabarnstable@gmail.com
Subject: Appeal No. 2023‐005 TJA Clean Energy.
PFAS+and+other+compounds+in+solar+panels.pdf ‐ Google Drive
Please forward to the Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Thank you.
Dear Members of the ZBA,
On March 8, TJA Clean Energy’s appeal for zoning setbacks for their intended project at 810 Wakeby
Road in Marstons Mills will be before you.
Our Town’s Legal Dept., Planning Dept. and Board spent roughly six months writing new solar bylaws
to protect our community and accommodate TJA’s project, notwithstanding the still open lawsuit filed
against the Town by TJA in April 2021.
The land abutting project property which TJA seeks relief from the 100’ setbacks to 16' is Town owned
Watershed Protection Conservation Land.
In consideration of this please see the following information below. Excerpts and links provided.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Anne Salas
145 Mockingbird Lane
Marstons Mills
Abutter to 810 Wakeby Rd.
From: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UZRgnItPCLIlSjsmYqgudNcUZiJ_88v/view
PFAS in Solar Panel and Battery Manufacturing
Despite industry and a few academic assurances to the contrary, broad research consist
ently indicates that PFAS chemicals are used in solar panel and battery manufacturing
and installation. PFAS is found in the coatings on electrical wires, backing panels,
tapes, and adhesives.
Of particular concern is the use of PFAS in antireflective coatings (ARC) and antisoil
coatings (ASC) that are used to increase solar panel productivity. Material and Data
Safety Sheets detail the contents of products manufactured in the United States. How
ever, at this time, China is the major supplier of polysilicon24 solar panels and batter
ies.
Accountability and transparency for materials and products made outside of the
United States is questionable. In June 2021, the Biden administration banned import and
use of certain solar energy materials and products from China due to the country’s use
of forced labor and genocide at polysilicon mines.
From: https://savethepinebarrens.org/2022/06/25/pfassolarinstallations/
PFAS & Solar Installations
June 25, 2022 By CleanDrinkingWater
PFAS are “forever chemicals”. This is a manmade chemical used in coating various products. It can enter
our water supply and be ingested by humans. It has bee linked to cancer and other health issues.
There are concerns about the use of PFAS in solar panel and battery manufacturing. PFAS is found in the
coatings on electrical wires, back panels, tapes and adhesives.
If PFAS is used in solar installations they could slough off with rainwater and enter the underlying
soil, groundwater and aquifers.
In Southeastern Massachusetts large ground mounted solar projects have been installed in wetland
cranberry bogs and along agricultural canals bordering bogs. The Rocky Maple project in Carver and
Wareham is proposed for a Riverfront Area on the Weweantic.
State and local officials should address this concern and provide assurances to the public that existing
and future solar installations pose no risk of PFAS contamination of our water.
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