From: rmedeiros@northeastcleanenergycorp.com [mailto:rmedeiros@northeastcleanenergycorp.com]  
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2016 4:21 PM 
To: Judge, Michael (ENE) 
Subject: Next Generation Solar Incentive Program

Michael,
I hope you will allow me to take a moment of your time to discuss the Next Generation 
Solar Incentive Program.  On a personal note, in 2010 and 2011 my real estate business 
had crashed due to the mortgage crisis and I was losing my home to foreclosure.  Thanks to 
Governor Patrick, the DOER and countless others, the solar industry became a robust 
industry in Massachusetts.  Jobs were created for thousands of worker and small businesses 
throughout the state like mine were saved.  Due in large part to the solar industry, I was 
able to save my home from foreclosure.
Unfortunately, the proposed regulations restricting solar from what is called Prime 
Forestland and Prime Farmland soils will have a devastating effect on these same workers 
and businesses.  I have an extensive involvement with conservation groups such as the 
Department of Conservation and Recreation and Wildlands Trust of Massachusetts.  I have 
donated over three miles of riverfront property in the Taunton River Watershed and have 
been recognized as the property owner of the year by the Taunton River Watershed Alliance 
on two separate occasions.  I can appreciated the value of open space.  Restricting solar 
from such a vast amount of land will hurt many farmers and landowners who have looked to 
solar as a means to generate income from their property.  These parcels will likely now 
become available to residential and commercial development.  Large sums of money that 
have been spent on the permitting of solar projects will be lost.  These projects can take a 
year or two years to permit and cost thousands of dollars.  I personally will lose over 
$250,000 that I have spent on solar projects that are in the works.  A large portion of that 
investment is in fees that have been paid to National Grid and Eversource, which will be lost 
forever.  I awake in the middle ob the night wondering what the future holds for my 
business and the pipeline projects.  Land owners are calling me asking what can be 
done.  Without solar, these properties will be placed back on the market for sale and 
become available for other more intrusive types of development.
Please rethink the restrictions on Prime Forestland, Prime Farmland soils and Chapter 61 
land.  The vast majority of land in the Commonwealth is mapped in these areas.  This 
leaves very little for solar.  Cities and Towns will lose the income that solar projects provide 
and in its place they will feel the burden that residential development will have on the 
school systems, police, emergency and fire services.
It is essential that DOER protect the robust solar industry in Massachusetts.  These 
proposed regulations will have a huge impact on many lives.  I ask that DOER take a very 
hard look at these proposed changes as they will have unintended consequences that will 
impact many lives.
Thank you,
Ron Medeiros,
508-951-2727
ronaldmedeiros@comcast.net
