HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – A rally held at Holyoke Heritage Park, called on state officials to protect local communities by enforcing stronger environmental protections in our area.
During Monday night’s rally, folks voiced their concerns about various climate projects across the commonwealth. As state agencies begin drafting energy siting guidelines to meet Massachusetts climate targets.
Western Mass News spoke with local farmer Fred Beddall who expresses his concerns about these green energy projects being rushed by the state.
“The state has a process for promoting green energy and it’s a good goal. But we need to do it right and I’m very concerned farmland could be a sight for a lot more solar development and that means less food and really putting farmers out of business.”
Other activists at Monday night’s rally, like Lara Wahl, told us they’re worried the state is looking at the cheapest ways to meet these green goals instead of ways that protect out natural environments.
“In our estimation it feels like the state should have implemented something where we spilt up how much we need for the next 25 years and have the towns themselves decide democratically where these projects should be instead of in forests where these things are very ill suited.”
Those at the rally also told Western Mass News they believe finding ways to achieve the commonwealth’s climate targets while protecting our natural landscape is a goal everyone can support.
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