James Martin Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on Appeals Court Reversal in Solar Energy Case

Pullman & Comley Attorney James (Jim) F. Martin was quoted in a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article, “Reversal of denial of solar project permit lauded on legal, policy grounds,” highlighting his successful representation of Sunpin Energy Services in the Appeals Court case Sunpin Energy Services, LLC, et al. v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Petersham.

The Court ruled that the Petersham Zoning Board improperly denied a special permit for a large-scale solar project, reinforcing state protections for solar energy development under G.L. c. 40A, §3. Jim emphasized that the decision limits local boards’ discretion and supporting Massachusetts’ commitment to expanding solar energy, noting, "What I think the court did was basically affirm and limit the scope of a local board’s ability to do anything other than grant a special permit in light of the statutory protections for solar under 40A, section 3.”

The ruling draws on the 2022 Tracer Lane II precedent, where the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court struck down overly restrictive zoning that effectively blocked solar development unless justified by public health, safety, or welfare concerns—marking a notable moment in advancing clean energy across the Commonwealth.

Attorney Meagan Cauda assisted Jim in this matter.

To read the full article, please visit the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly website.