Solar panels are all the rage right now in looking for alternative energy sources. We’ve all heard President Obama raise the importance of expanding this technology domestically, and Governor Corzine has “demanded that 20% of New Jersey’s energy come from renewable sources by 2020.” Of course, though, our State’s myriad of environmental laws and regulations have gotten in the way of sound private industry.
New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group considered installing a ground array at its new location being constructed on a 56-acre property in Hammonton. NJM spokesman Patrick Breslin said the array was sacrificed because of the impervious coverage issue.
“It was rejected pretty early in the process,” Breslin said, underscoring stringent zoning in the Pinelands region.
The story doesn’t elaborate if it was Pinelands, the Hammonton Planning Board, or the Hammonton Zoning Board that nixed the deal. It does seem, though, that technology and environmental regulations are clashing on what could have been a positive works project for Hammonton.
There’s a state cost saver disband the Pinelands Commission.
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We need to find out more about the proposed project. Why would it be considered impervious here when it isn’t in other places? What is underneath the panels, is it built on a solid surface or just over the dirt which would allow the rain to penetrate the ground. There would be several different ways to costruct this field to allow it to fit within the Pinelands regulations. The article also says they discarded their plans for a ground array, but did they then consider a rooftop array which would not add to the impervious surface?
If the Hammonton Zoning Board stood in the way, we need to change our regulations.
If the Pinelands stood in the way, we need to find out why and lobby to adjust their regulations for these “green” projects.
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The stupid Democrats in the Pinelands killed this one. Go ahead and lobby their idiot Governor. He didn’t do anything to help Kessler. He won’t care about an office building in Hammonton. Chris Christie will be a nice replacement in Trenton.
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Actually, the deputy Mayor was a member of pinelands and his replacement on Pinelands is not a Democrat.
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Why can’t they just put them on the roof instead? Why scrap the idea? They should have put solar panels on top of the Town Hall. I understand it, if I had a new home or building, I’d definitely want solar.
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Just another example of why we can never get any good, modern establishment to come to the immediate area. It’s always the same thing, too much paperwork and regulations. Too many permits. If it was any of the local boards, then they defiantly need to change their thinking. Our planning and zoning boards are the biggest joke around and this would just prove it. I think that even cosmetically, the solar panal farm would look great. It would show that Hammonton is a town ready to move into the future. No, we have to have a bunch of no it all’s, stop it. If the Pinelands did it, then they better start learning that sometimes, you have to sacrifice some land issues to get ahead in the long run. I think that this plan should be reopened or they should be asked to consider roof top panels. Someone call Al Gore!!! Just a side note, I’m also all for the windmill farm of our coast.
I agree 100% about the panels on town hall.
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Hammonton a town ready to move into the future? LOL!
After reading about the town hall built on top of toxic dirt, no Lowes or Home Depot, Kessler closing, and more I think its moving quickly into the past.
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