SAFE has completed a comment letter (pdf) to the Mass Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs regarding the environmental impact of the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal development. SAFE’s comments were endorsed by the Latino Leadership Coalition, the Salem League of Women Voters, and four neighborhood associations: The Point, Historic Derby Street, the Willows, and the Common.
MEPA requires that major development projects allow for
“meaningful opportunities for public review.”
The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act requires that major development projects allow for “meaningful opportunities for public review of potential environmental impacts.”
SAFE offered support for the project but made a number of suggestions to reduce negative impacts in our community and to improve on existing plans. Among SAFE’s key areas of concern were:
Community Benefits Agreement (CBA): SAFE asks that Crowley commit to a CBA, negotiated with community stakeholders, that includes specific commitments to local hires, including women, BIPOC, English-isolated, and low-income residents.
Onsite Renewable Energy Generation: SAFE proposes using the parking lot area and the perimeter of the site to generate solar and wind energy for use on the site. Solar installed above the parking areas would also reduce heat island effects by providing more shade.
Stormwater Management: SAFE is concerned with increasingly heavy rains and made a number of proposals, including enclosing the discharge channel to filter storm water from the site, adding bioswales and rain gardens, using permeable pavements in the parking lot, and installing a rainwater catchment system that could provide water for fugitive dust control.
Flooding from Collins Cove: SAFE expressed concern regarding potential flooding from Collins Cove. Water will be blocked by new berms along Fort Avenue/Derby St., forcing the water back toward the cove. We requested a review of the sewer infrastructure on Fort Ave and Derby St. to ensure it can accommodate increased needs for drainage.
Sustainable Building Design: SAFE points out that the temporary construction trailers currently proposed to remain on the site during operations don’t meet local building codes and should be permanent structures that comply with Salem’s Green Building ordinance. Further, SAFE asks for a Community Advisory Group to review building plans.
Transportation/Emissions: To reduce emissions from vehicles, SAFE proposes incentivizing electric vehicles and van pools that would bring workers to the site from off-site parking areas. Additionally, EV charging stations and bicycle parking could be provided at the site. SAFE also advocates that ships in port should not be running on diesel engines, but connected to shore to ship power.
Public Access and Education: SAFE sees real opportunity for educating the public about offshore wind power and renewable energy at the offshore wind terminal. We propose a number of features, including an observation deck, observational vistas along the perimeter, and educational signage.
Read SAFE’s full comment letter (pdf).