Island Plan: Wind Energy Plan

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Wind Energy Plan

We Want to Hear Your Opinion!

Click Here for the Discussion Boards about Wind Energy

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission has released a draft version of the Wind Energy Plan for Dukes County, on which it invites public comment. To download a pdf copy, click on the first document in the list to the left.

The Wind Energy Plan analyzes various aspects of wind energy development on land and off shore, in both state waters within Dukes County and in adjacent federal waters. The plan proposes policies for where and at what scale wind turbines may be allowed, where they should be subject to special review, and what standards should apply.

The plan aims to allow for reasonable wind energy development while minimizing potentially detrimental impacts on natural resources and human uses. The plan looks at a wide variety of topics, including birds and bats, scenic resources and visual impacts, tribal and other cultural resources, open space and habitat, marine mammals, fishing, navigation and boating, safety, noise and vibration, shadow flicker, electromagnetic interference, construction, operation and maintenance, decommissioning, impacts on business and employment, property values and municipal taxes, and community benefits.

This draft was prepared by the MVC staff based on analysis and recommendations reflecting the efforts of the Wind Energy Plan for Dukes County Work Group, made up of representatives of all seven towns in Dukes County and from Island conservation and energy non-profit organizations.

The draft is being released to solicit public comment over the summer of 2011. In the fall of 2011, the Work Group will be convened to discuss the document with the intention of submitting a final draft to the full Martha's Vineyard Commission for adoption. (The Commission itself has not reviewed this draft.) The Wind Energy Plan will be used in conjunction with the Island Wind District of Critical Planning Concern with review of wind proposals as Developments of Regional Impact. It can also be used by town boards in their review of applications.

Town boards and members of the pubic are invited to give feedback on all aspects of the document, including two fundamental options regarding possible offshore wind energy development in Dukes County. One would allow development in certain areas defined by the analysis; the other would hold off on short-term development within the waters of Dukes County. A public meeting about the draft plan will be scheduled later in the summer.

Martha’s Vineyard and Gosnold have some of best wind resources in the eastern part of the United States. This strong Atlantic coastal wind stream provides strong promise for wind-generated electricity which can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and stabilize our energy costs, now among the highest in the country.
Martha's Vineyard and Gosnold are among the most environmentally significant places in the eastern part of the United States, with exceptional natural resources and remarkable scenic values that are at the core of the Island’s economy and quality of life.

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission continues to research wind energy in order to better inform the public of the pros and cons of what wind turbines might mean for our community:

Appropriate Scale for Offshore Wind: Help the MVC make a determination as to what kind of wind energy development is appropriate in those offshore areas under its jurisdiction, in relation to the Commonwealth’s Oceans Act and Ocean Management Plan.
DCPC Regulations: Model regulations have been prepared for possible adoption by the towns under the District of Critical Planning Concern now in effect in most of the land and waters of Dukes County.
DRI Thresholds and Policy: The draft Wind Energy Plan identifies the threshold for referral of projects to the MVC for review as Developments of Regional Impact, and includes a policy for review of these DRIs.

In addition, the analysis carried out in this planning process should help the community comment on possible offshore projects in federal waters and should help towns in drafting or revising local regulations and standards.

Find documents such as memos on various topics and minutes of meetings by entering a word or phrase in this page’s Search box and pressing the Enter key.

Here are some links to other websites that each has a wide range of information from various points of view.
U.S. Department of Energy - Wind - promotes America's energy security through reliable, clean, and affordable energy

Massachusetts Department of Energy – creating a greener energy future for the Commonwealth

American Wind Energy Association - a national trade association promoting wind energy
Windustry - non-profit that promotes the development of community-owned wind energy

Wind Watch - concerned about the adverse impacts of industrial-scale wind energy on communities