Gravel Pit Solar Expansion – Final Decision, What We Learned, and What Comes Next
After almost a year of hearings, filings, testimony, and community involvement, the Connecticut Siting Council voted 6-0 to approve the expansion of Gravel Pit Solar under Docket 492-A.
Many of us spent months following this case closely, attending hearings, submitting evidence, and asking the Council to consider the cumulative impacts on East Windsor. 2,226 residents signed this petition asking the state to protect our farmland and our community.
Despite that level of engagement, the Council approved the project.
But after reading through the full decision and record, there are several important facts the public should know that are not being explained in the news coverage.
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What was actually approved
The expansion allows the developer to build up to 30 MW of additional solar generation across the expansion area.
The project footprint involves 15 parcels in total, although 13 parcels would actually host solar arrays, with the remaining parcels used for underground collection lines connecting the system.
The expansion includes four separate array areas, including:
• Array Area 1 – Norton parcel
• Array Area 2 – Martin / Maslak parcels
• Array Area 3 – Mulnite parcels
• Array Area 4 – Markowski parcel
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Important condition the Council placed on the project
Even while approving the expansion, the Council acknowledged environmental concerns related to vernal pool habitat.
Because of that, the developer is required to submit plans to reduce or potentially eliminate Array Area 2 on the Martin / Maslak parcels.
That means the final layout of the project is not completely finalized yet.
The developer must now submit a Development & Management Plan that includes:
• the final solar array layout
• stormwater and erosion controls
• wildlife protections
• landscaping and screening plans
The Council must review and approve that plan before any construction can begin.
So even though the project was approved, construction cannot start yet.
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What the developer said about the community
During the case, the developer’s attorney filed briefs attempting to dismiss many of the concerns raised by residents.
In one filing, the attorney wrote that opposition to the project could essentially be:
“boiled down to one thing – the opponents just don’t want more solar development.”
The filing also claimed that intervenor objections reflected “generalized opposition to local utility-scale solar.”
These statements are part of the official record and show how the developer characterized the concerns raised by East Windsor residents throughout this process.
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How the decision process actually unfolded
Another frustrating aspect of this process is that the Council conducted what is known as a “straw poll” weeks before the final vote.
At that meeting, council members indicated their intention to approve the project before the final decision meeting even occurred.
After that straw poll, intervenors and parties were still required to submit final filings and findings of fact — even though the outcome had already effectively been signaled.
The final vote on March 5 simply confirmed that earlier position.
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How close the project can be to homes
The Council’s decision also acknowledges that the facility could be located relatively close to nearby properties.
According to the decision:
• the solar facility fence could be approximately 61 feet from the nearest property line
• the nearest residence is about 153 feet away near Wapping Road
These are details that many residents were concerned about throughout the hearings.
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What happens next
The Town of East Windsor is expected to meet with legal counsel to evaluate whether the town will appeal the decision.
Some residents have also asked whether an injunction or moratorium could still be pursued. Those options will depend on what legal path the town decides to take.
At the same time, the developer must still submit the final Development & Management Plan before any construction can begin.
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And this is not the last solar proposal
Another project known as Salt Box Solar is expected to come forward next.
That means our community will likely face another siting process in the future, and continued public engagement will remain important.
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State legislation being discussed
State Representative Jaime Foster has been working on legislation addressing solar safety and oversight.
One of those bills — HB 5457: An Act Concerning Fires and Explosions at Solar Photovoltaic Facilities — has been scheduled for a public hearing on Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 AM before the Public Safety and Security Committee.
Residents can attend or testify virtually if they would like to participate.
How to testify:
Public hearing:
Thursday, March 12
11:00 AM
Legislative Office Building – Room 1E
Also available via Zoom and YouTube Live
To register to speak, you must sign up by 3:00 PM the day before the hearing.
Register here:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bCm-gezATOy2NqjrIRBu6Q#/registration
You can view the bill information here:
https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2026&bill_num=5457
Representative Foster has asked that this information be shared widely so residents who are concerned about solar safety and oversight have an opportunity to participate.
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Thank you 🙏
The level of community engagement around this issue has been extraordinary.
Residents attended hearings, submitted testimony, asked difficult questions, and helped bring attention to the impacts of large-scale solar development in East Windsor.
And with additional projects likely coming in the future, that level of engagement will continue to matter.
Thank you to everyone who signed and shared this petition and stood up for our town.
If you haven’t shared the petition yet, please consider doing so. The stronger our community’s voice is, the harder it becomes for these concerns to be ignored by our legislators.
~A grateful & very concerned East Windsor Citizen