Upcoming Events

Oct
26

SOMERSET ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Support the Prysmian Brayton Point Proposal at the Oct. 26 ZBA hearing!

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS - View agenda and more.

Event Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023 - 6:00pm

NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
580 WHETSTONE HILL RD
MINI AUDITORIUM
SOMERSET, MA 02726

Concerns with ZBA:

  • The current ZBA approval requires all ships docking at Brayton Point to use shore-to- ship power. This requirement is infeasible and unworkable.

  • Shore-to-ship power was not originally included as part of the project. It is not required by law, it was not required by MEPA, and there are currently no requirements like this anywhere Prysmian operates.

  • Of the approximately 20 ships around the world capable of power cable loading and transportation, none are currently using shore-to-ship power. Prysmian’s adoption of shore-to-ship would be unprecedented.

  • Prysmian cannot control the specifications of other fleets and ships that may dock at Brayton Point. 

  • Occasionally, to meet customer demand/contractual obligations, Prysmian has to contract with a competitor to use one of their vessels (for example, if a vessel gets delayed out at a project site or needs to be repaired).

  • As a compromise, Prysmian has asked for the flexibility to allow for one visit, once per year, from a non-Prysmian vessel in the event it becomes necessary.

  • Ten different environmental organizations support the Prysmian project. In their letter dated 9/21/2023 to the ZBA, these organizations noted Prysmian’s importance to the clean energy transition.

    • “It would be a major setback to the Commonwealth’s climate and air pollution reduction efforts if the Zoning Board of Appeals imposed impossible conditions on the proposed Prysmian cable manufacturing project, ultimately leading to project failure.”

    • Clean Water Action / Elders Climate Action, Massachusetts Chapter / Slingshot / Sierra Club Massachusetts / Union of Concerned Scientists / Salem Alliance for the Environment / Conservation Law Foundation / Green Energy Consumers Alliance / Seaside Sustainability / Environmental League of Massachusetts

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