Power plant permit request has residents speaking out
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — Residents in South Hadley voicing concerns over a local college submitted a permit request to build a power plant within the town.
Western Mass News went and spoke with folks at the town’s Board of Health meeting Tuesday evening to hear how they are feeling.
Residents said they are not only worried about the environmental risks, but also the health risks this facility could pose for their neighborhood.
“it’s not the best thing for our town, at least in that spot.” Said South Hadley resident Melissa Gange.
Mount Holyoke College is seeking a permit from the South Hadley Planning Board to build an electrical power plant on Woodbridge Street.
“This building could be located somewhere else on the many hundred acres that the college owns in the area.” Shared Rita Petithory, another South Hadley resident.
The facility would be connected to the colleges’ geothermal project, an initiative to improve energy efficiency and sustainability on campus.
Many residents were expressing worries about having the proposed plant in that neighborhood of town.
“The site used to be a gas station so there are concerns of what’s in the soil and what will be toxic in putting a building there and then venting that into the center of town.” Gange added.
She went on to say that while she’s thankful the college has this geothermal initiative, having the proposed power plant on Woodbridge would not be a good look for the town.
“The construction that they’ve proposed is very modern and does not flow with the feel of a small new England town so it kind of sticks out like a sore thumb.”
Petithory added that she does not mind the facility is built, she just doesn’t want it in that section of town. She said:
“The fumes that will be coming out of the building, the 24/7 sound, it’s just wrong for that section of town… There are many shops in the town commons, lots of people in the park all the time, people walk around the area, it’s a recreational area and having toxic waste come into the air it’s just bad for everybody.”
Community conversations on the proposed plant are expected to continue into the early summer with the next public hearing scheduled for June 23.
We did reach out to Mount Holyoke College, as well as the South Hadley Board of Health, but have yet to hear back from either.
Copyright 2025. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.