Martha’s Vineyard commissioners wrestled for nearly two hours with a new proposed energy policy at their meeting Thursday night as climate change and green policy issues continue to loom heavily over Island development.
Martha’s Vineyard Commissioners wrestled for nearly two hours with a new proposed energy policy at their meeting Thursday night as climate change and green policy issues continue to loom heavily over Island development.
The proposed energy policy was drafted by a commission subcommittee and presented at the meeting Thursday by commissioner Ben Robinson, who has spearheaded the commission’s work to revamp the guidelines.
The commission’s current energy policy, which is one of many sets of nonbinding guidelines the commission uses to evaluate the benefits and detriments of regional impacts, dates back to 2008 and focuses on Energy Star and LEED certification for developments, among other things.
But according to Mr. Robinson’s presentation, the new policy proposed Thursday would shift away from emphasizing LEED certification and focus on promoting the design and implementation of all electric systems in developments, including homes. The policy would also look to encourage electric vehicle use with charging stations, as well as onsite renewable energy, like solar panels, for 100 per cent of a building’s projected electrical usage.
Compliance with the state energy stretch code for all development is also listed as a guideline, as well as adherence with the International Energy Conservation Code. Commercial projects are recommended to obtain the EPA “Designed to Earn the Energy Star” (DEES) certification by employing a qualified building performance analyst during the design phase of the project.
Commissioners grappled with details of the policy — which includes broader energy goalposts, narrative and recommendations rather than specific building requirements — for more than an hour Thursday night. Issues considered were the cost and economic burden of promoting all electric systems, the lack of specific guidance and enforcement.
MVC governor’s appointee Michael Kim and Mr. Robinson entered into a lengthy discussion regarding the benefits of promoting all-electric systems in buildings, as well as on-site energy generation. While the policy pushes for all electric systems, Mr. Kim noted that they were not always more cost effective or energy efficient, especially in seasonal homes.
“When something is used periodically, electric is usually not as good,” Mr. Kim said. “It doesn’t save carbon, given the type of use.”
Mr. Robinson disagreed, saying that electric heat pumps would be more energy efficient than gas or propane in most circumstances, and that while the policy sought to promote on-site energy generation, it was not a requirement for all sites.
The policy will continue to be adapted by the commission subcommittee before further discussion at the commission’s regular meeting Dec. 3.
In other business, commissioners nominated Joan Malkin, of Chilmark and Jim Vercruysse, of Aquinnah, as chairman and vice chairman for the upcoming year. A vote will take place at the commission’s upcoming regular meeting.
Commissioners also received an update on community development block grants from the Department of Housing and Community Development. The grants are administered through CARES Act funds as micro-loans for small businesses. Commissioners then voted to send a letter of support for a grant from the Cape Cod regional economic development organization.
A written decision for a historic home remodel on Iroquis avenue in West Chop was also approved.
Comments
My father used to buy the
Tom Willuams East FalmouthMy father used to buy the fuel needed for a number of power plants in this area, including the bunker fuel for Canal Electric and the diesel for Martha's Vineyard. At one point, he showed me through the boomer area at Canal Electric.
After handing me a weldor's face shield, he opened an inspection port to the plants eleven story boiler. It was like gazing into hell. That plant burns 1,200 gallons of #6 bunker fuel per minute. Let that sink in.
This area needs a massive commitment to offshore wind energy installations if we are to sever our reliance on fossil fuels, especially if the grid will be expected to supply enough energy to recharge the batteries of all the electric cars that have been envisioned for our future.
As I scan the horizon, I don't see one single offshore turbine.
Not one. John Kerry's view notwithstanding, this needs to change, and it needs to change quickly.
A couple of solar panels on your neighbors roof isn't going to make it happen.
Since the wind doesn't always blow, alternative energy sources, a smart grid, and as yet unperfected technology to store excess energy are all needed.
Half measures and good intentions are not going to make it happen.
Until our capabilities catch up with our proposed mandates, the only outcome I see is failure.
Let me please offer a few
Seasonal Old Timer ChappyLet me please offer a few historical observations for perspective.
The intent of the parties who voted to create the MVC back in the day was pretty simple: we have a great thing going. Let's not allow others (back then, the real estate developers were the primary concern -- see below for that Report Card) to foul things up.
In general, I have been supportive of the idea of the MVC.
Regardless, every entity requires a Report Card. Please rate on your own.
Let's review -- over the decades since MVC's creation:
Is the overall health of Edgartown Great Pond better now or before MVC?
Is the overall health of Jobs Neck Pond better now or before MVC?
Is the overall health of Oyster Pond better now or before MVC?
Do I need to keep going west?
OK, so it's undoubtedly true the general growth of the Vineyard is a huge factor. Fair enough. (But, wait, wasn't the original point of the MVC to slow development... ?)
Even given that caveat, how many can (without using research tools - only memory) truly credit the MVC for great wisdom in preservation or protection? Regrettably, I cannot. (OK, now use research tools. I couldn't find much success, either. Yeah, that Vineyard Haven project doesn't look so hot, does it?) From Sheriff's Meadow on down the conservation great list, other outfits have, happily, stepped forward, with the support of so many of our gracious and generous Island friends.
The MVC has dithered about, with the Meetinghouse Way subdivision the most recent foray into fecklessness. More broadly, did the MVC stop any of the numerous, big, suburban developments along Barnes Road, Edg - VH Road, Edg - WT Road? Spoiler alert: no. Ineffective would be a massively polite overall grade for the MVC in the area of broad scale development.
We now face a "new" MVC with "mission creep."
The MVC appears desirous of a world where their decrees rule the land. Let me offer a simple rebuttable: No.
Until the MVC performs versus their original mission at an A+ level consistently, no, the MVC does not receive permission to expand its mandate. Our community demands results, which the MVC has not delivered, for decades.
I do not believe the MVC should be allowed to promote an activist message, at least until they prove performance of their original mandate to protect our wonderful Island.
Respectfully submitted by a Chappy seasonal resident every season from the 60's.
PS: I would suggest interested readers also consider motivation, in two parts.
1) Some of the MVC staff is bright, educated, and motivated. Wonderful. Still, it is worth considering if the career interests of a young policy hotshot are, indeed, aligned with the interests of long term preservation of the MVY experience I, for one, so cherish. Do we, as MVY residents, really want to allow some MVC policy hotshot to use the profile of our wonderful MVY to secure a significant grant to implement a program few desire? Should we allow ourselves to be a proverbial notch on their career mile-post?
To MVC staff: Please do not use MVY solely for your career advancement.
2) Then, please review the Board members of the MVC. Do they have your interests at heart? Write and be vocal.
MVY is the best.
Now the MVC will again
Thomas Martha's VineyardNow the MVC will again dictate what we can use for our energy. We all don't want or can afford the trappings of the MVC energy policy. We are strapped as it is and can barely meet our monthly obligations and to hear this group talk about silver spoon initiatives for the wealthy it frankly makes me want to move. Is that the goal here of the MVC? To cost us all out? Is it the goal of the MVC to do regional planning or to do regional mandates? I for one want my propane gas fireplace to keep me warm and don't wish to go to electric. Please MVC get back to planning and stop arguing. Table this nonsense and work on planning for those areas that are going to be developed. Mr. Ben has planning experience but is pushing an agenda and fighting with Mr. Kim. Please stay focused and work on planning and not an energy policy that changes the way we all live. I've been here 4 generations and my ancestors would be rolling over.
Of course Mr. Robinson is
VanadiumOf course Mr. Robinson is correct in saying "that electric heat pumps would be more energy efficient than gas or propane in most circumstances". It's nearly no contest if you consider that Propane is derived from oil in a process much like petroleum production. Also the costs associated with Propane are inflated by artificially controlled supply/demand marketplace collusion.
Electricity is the future of energy and democratizing it should be a priority. I think a focus could be giving leniency with Zoning and setback rules. This would promote larger PV systems and ground mounted arrays where the array/s could be butted up to property boundaries, much like fences.
We can also work on removing some of the boundaries from the regulatory bodies and the local utility.
Small residential wind
mike SomewhereSmall residential wind turbines, 50' tower - one - could produce enough electric power -for a 2,500'sq/ft house, maybe 2 if all appliances and lights were energy star - here on the Island for an entire year if it were grid tied. The local towns should change the zoning by laws. WT will not allow this unless you have a 25' fall buffer - over the ht of the tower./ Most lots are not wide enough to accommodate. Solar also is great. HW (independent dedicated system for house) and electricity - Grid tied. but you have to have good orientation for solar, wind is generating electricity from all directions. Good bye Vineyard Propane.
Not going to install anything
Mark EdgartownNot going to install anything solar until two issues are solved; 1) they make panels that don’t look hideous, 2) there is a massive tax incentive to defray the cost of installation. The break even for the upfront capital investment is over 25 years...
Rooftop solar capital cost is
Thatcher Ulrich Oak BluffsRooftop solar capital cost is much lower for new construction, which is partly how California now gets away with mandating it on all new houses.
But even a normal retrofit in MA should pay back in less than 8 years. I know of a particular case in OB that paid back within 4 years.
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