FIRST LIGHT’S NORTHFIELD MOUNTAIN PUMPED STORAGE STATION IS A PROBLEM – Here are our solutions:
TELL THE TRUTH: FirstLight’s continual assertion that the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station is clean and will lead us into the clean energy future must be confronted and exposed as false. This multinational conglomerate is generating huge profits at the expense of the river and the ratepayers. In reality FirstLight’s public relations campaign wants us to believe that they are providing recreational and environmental access when this is a public trust mandate. FirstLight does the same thing with their careful financing of community causes and projects. In fact “gifting” rate payers with our own money.
SHUT IT DOWN: FirstLight’s Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station is primarily a fossil fuel operation. It uses these fuels to force the Connecticut River backward for 5 miles or more, suctioning the water up the mountain when prices are low for later release at peak prices (buy low, sell high). This requires 1/3 more energy than is released, producing no new net energy. In addition 20 miles of the river are impacted by the river suction, killing countless fish, eggs and larvae in huge turbines. This is a false solution to the Climate Emergency. And we rate payers are footing the bill to kill the Connecticut River. Living rivers flow downstream.
RESTORATION: FirstLight must invest its massive profits in restoring the River banks from the effects of erosion secondary to unnatural, frequent, and daily water level changes as the Connecticut River is pumped out to the upper reservoir and surged back into the river as the water is released. Reestablishment of aquatic life and fish habitats will be a critical part of restoring the river ecosystem. FirstLight needs to be held responsible for decommissioning costs not the rate payers.
DEMAND OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR ENTANGLEMENT WITH FIRSTLIGHT: It is a travesty that the ecosystem of the great Connecticut River is allowed to suffer, while using fossil fuel to create profit for a private entity. Our state and federal governments are complicit in FirstLight’s actions. Their support for the re-licensing of Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station is contrary to the needs of the planet and its people. They are not acting in the best interests of the river and betray the public trust.
Since forming, the Connecticut River Defenders have met with a number of the stakeholders engaged in FirstLight’s attempts to reach agreement re: the station’s re-licensing. We have learned that FirstLight’s undemocratic control of this process has segmented the stakeholders not allowing them to converse with one another, insisting on nondisclosure signatures, keeping the public from knowledge of the process and “loyalty requirements”. Our public agencies should not be accepting these parameters and should be insisting on open and public discussions. We have met with government officials and learned of their long term commitment to the Northfield Pumped Station’s role in reaching our State’s climate goals. It must be known and recognized that Massachusetts will not meet its net zero goal by spinning a faulty solution to the climate crisis and destroying a river ecosystem for 50 more years!
LAND BACK:
A more just, productive and healing use of Northfield Mountain would be for FirstLight to return the land to indigenous peoples. Indigenous stewardship of the land rooted in reciprocity and mutuality would certainly assure a much healthier and safer environment for all. It would free the mountain and river from the extractive exploitation they are now hostage to and remove them from the grips of the governmental agencies who refuse to protect them.
We know that calling for Land Back means a commitment to all aspects of decolonization and we remain open and focused on this necessary process. Please see our actions tab where you can take action to further the indigenous bills presently in the MA Legislature.
In keeping with our demand for Land Back
Connecticut River Defenders fully support and join the efforts led by the indigenous people, the true stewards of this land. Please sign the petitions linked below.
Petition · Return Lampson Brook Farm to the Nipmuc People · Change.org
https://www.change.org/p/return-lampson-brook-farm-to-the-nipmuc-people
https://www.change.org/p/return-lampson-brook-farm-to-the-nipmuc-people?signed=true
To find out how you can get involved contact CTRIVERDEFENDERS@GMAIL.COM