Dighton Energy Storage Facility Concerns Selectmen

Plans for a new energy storage facility in Dighton has been brought to the attention of the Rehoboth Board of Selectmen.

Water Commission Chair Joe Nunes told the board Monday the proposed location of the facility is adjacent to the Rehoboth border. Nunes believes the facility would pose health and safety risks to residents if a fire was to break out.

New Leaf Energy held a community meeting in Dighton to showcase the project. Another meeting is scheduled for July 20 at 6:30 pm at the Old Town Hall, 1111 Somerset Avenue, Dighton.

The facility, to be constructed at 0 Maynard Lane, will encompass approximately 10.7 acres. The project is comprised of lithium battery units and supporting electrical equipment mounted on concrete pads and surrounded by a fence. The total project size will be 205,000 Kilowatts AC.

The company’s announcement also states: “The electricity stored will be discharged to the transmission system and reduce the need for fossil fuel peaker plants.”

“Not seeing any plans of the building construction, I’m not so concerned about that getting into the groundwater as I am of fire that could take a long time to put out,” Nunes said. “It takes an awful lot of water to contain that fire.”

 “I had two town residents come to my office (who live in the vicinity of the project) to talk about it, so it is a lot of concern obviously,” said Selectman Lenny Mills, noting the abutters have been receiving certified letters about the project.

Chairman Skip Vadnais proposed having Town Administrator Deb Arruda send a letter to the Dighton Town Administrator explaining the need for the BOS and the Water Commission to be informed about the project.

In its June 27 letter, Project Developer Eric Weinstein added: “Regarding our company, New Leaf Energy, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in the renewable energy industry with experience in the development of solar projects and other renewables. We are excited about the opportunity to work with your community.”

“For more information about New Leaf Energy and the project, please visit our website at www.newleafenergy.com/project/dighton-energy-storage”