On October 23, 2023, FHMNA President Dave Buzanoski, with input from the Board of Directors, sent the following letter on FHMNA stationary to Michael Judge, Undersecretary of (MA) Energy and Environmental Affairs with copies to:
• Maura Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Susan Moran, Senator, Plymouth and Barnstable District
• David Viera, Representative, 3rd Barnstable District
• Dylan Fernandes, Representative, Barnstable, Nantucket and Dukes Districts
• Nancy Taylor, Chairperson, Falmouth Select Board
Mr. Michael Judge, Undersecretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge St., 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Subject: Attention Required Concerning SouthCoast Wind’s Proposed High Voltage Industrial Sized Cables
Dear Undersecretary Judge,
Congratulations on your most recent appointment by the Healey Administration. We wish you much success as you navigate the challenges ahead.
As president of the Falmouth Heights-Maravista Neighborhood Association which is comprised of some 500 members, I am writing to bring your attention to a matter of utmost concern to the residents of our densely populated historic neighborhood. SouthCoast Wind has proposed to run high voltage industrial sized cables from an offshore wind farm under our beach and through our neighborhoods and parks causing irreparable damage. We request your support in addressing these pressing issues and invite you to visit us and tour our neighborhood.
Our concerns that require immediate attention:
1) Safety Hazards: The presence of high voltage cables running through a residentially zoned and community park area poses an alarming threat to the safety of our residents, particularly our children and elderly. The potential risks of electrical accidents, fires, and electrocutions cannot be understated. It is our civic duty to protect our residents and work to ensure their safety.
2) Disruption to Residential Life: The construction, maintenance, and operation of these high voltage cables will inevitably result in significant disruptions to the daily lives of our residents. Noise pollution, increased traffic congestion, road closures, and property access restrictions are among the disruptions that our community members will have to endure. Their overall well-being and safety will be at greater risk during construction due to the limited space available for construction vehicles and industrial sized equipment navigating through narrow and occasional one-way streets.
3) Lack of Public Support: It is important to note that there has been a distinct lack of public support for the proposed installation of these high voltage cables in our neighborhood. Overall, our community residents have not been adequately consulted or involved in the decision-making process, leading to a prevailing sense of frustration, alienation, and distrust. It is essential that the concerns and wishes of the public are given due consideration and that their voices are heard.
4) Availability of Alternatives: We firmly believe that there are multiple alternative routes or locations, commercial and industrial in nature, that can be explored for running the high voltage cables offshore which would mitigate the risks and adverse effects on our residential area. It is imperative that a thorough examination of these alternatives be conducted, considering factors such as safety, environmental impact and community well-being.
Please understand, our community supports renewable energy with the hopes for clean and economical alternatives to current non-renewable energy sources. We kindly request your immediate attention to our concerns and your support in championing the rights and interests of the residents of our neighborhoods. We invite you or one of your representatives to come and visit Falmouth Heights and see firsthand our issues and discuss SouthCoast Wind’s proposal to install high voltage industrial cables at our shoreline and beyond.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We trust your commitment to serving the best interests of our community and eagerly await your prompt response. Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our residents while fostering the responsible development and use of clean, renewable, and affordable energy for the Commonwealth.
Sincerely,
David Buzanoski,
President, Falmouth Heights-Maravista Neighborhood Association