Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

3. Notice of Scoping for State of Connecticut Department of Correction Solar Projects at Enfield/Somers

Addresses of possible locations:

  • Osborn – 335 Bilton Rd, Somers
  • Enfield – 289 Shaker Rd, Enfield
  • Willard - 391 Shaker Rd, Enfield

Municipalities where proposed action might be located: Somers and Enfield

Project Description:

This Project consists of five solar PV systems that will reside on the grounds of Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institute, Osborn Correctional Institution and Enfield Correctional institution.  Included in this submission are the proposed site plans for each system.  Although some systems abut one another and share the same perimeter fence line, each of the five solar PV systems are designed to operate independently from one another.

Site Names and Addresses:

  • Robinson A – 289 Shaker Rd, Enfield
  • Robinson B – 289 Shaker Rd, Enfield
  • Enfield – 289 Shaker Rd, Enfield
  • Osborn – 335 Bilton Rd, Somers
  • Willard - 391 Shaker Rd, Enfield

The ground mounted PV systems of Robinson A, Robinson B and Enfield are all proposed to be on the South side of Enfield Correctional Institution at 289 Shaker Rd, Enfield.  These three PV systems abut each other creating one ground mounted solar array.  Robinson A consists of approximately 304 solar panels with a capacity of approximately 92 kilowatts (kW).  Robinson B consists of approximately 704 solar panels with a capacity of approximately 212 kW. Enfield consists of approximately 608 solar panels with a capacity of approximately 205 kW.  Combined these three PV systems will occupy an area that is roughly 1.3 acres of an existing field.  This proposed location is roughly 1,050 Linear Feet (LF) West of a grassland bird mitigation area.

The ground mounted PV system of Willard is proposed to be built on the South side of Enfield Correctional Institution.  The PV system consists of approximately 1,944 solar panels with a capacity of approximately 625 kW.  This system will be electrically connected into the Willard Building of the Willard-Cybulski Correctional Facility located at 391 Shaker Rd, Enfield.  This PV system will occupy and area of roughly 2.5 acres.  The proposed location is roughly 750 LF West of a grassland bird mitigation area.

The ground mounted PV system of Osborn is proposed to be built on previously farmed land located on the North West side of Osborn Correctional Institution.  This PV system consists of approximately 4,830 solar panels with a capacity of approximately 1.8 MW.  The total area of this PV system is roughly 5.7 acres.  This proposed location is roughly 65 LF East of a grassland bird mitigation area.

Project Maps: Osborn Solar Array Map, Willard Solar Array Map, Robinson Solar Array Map A, Robinson Solar Array Map B, Enfield Solar Array Map, Enfield Overview.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: January 6, 2022.

Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a public scoping meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a public scoping meeting. Such requests must be made by: December 17, 2021.

Written comments, questions and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to: 

Name: Michael Barrera

Agency: Department of Administrative Services

Address: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 1501, Hartford, CT 06103

Phone: 860-713-5267

E-Mail: Michael.Barrera@ct.gov

Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to:

Name: Anthony Campanelli
Agency: Department of Corrections
Address: 24 Wolcott Hill Rd. Wethersfield, CT 06109
E-Mail: Anthony.campanelli@ct.gov

 

What Happens Next: The Department of Administrative Services will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.