Will Wiquist, executive director of the 10,000-member Green Mountain Club, today expressed disappointment that the final Comprehensive Energy Plan continues to include a provision which could open the door to wind development on lands owned and conserved by the public.
While the rewritten clause highlights small-scale projects which are already permitted under the existing policy, it does not keep the door closed to major wind development on state lands. The plan recommends that the Agency of Natural Resources ‘consider revising and clarifying’ its 2004 moratorium on large-scale wind development on ANR-land.
‘We are disappointed that the governor kept the door open to changing the wind moratorium without assurances that large-scale development will remain off the table,’ said Wiquist. ‘State lands along Vermont’s high ridgeline were conserved by the Green Mountain Club and other groups in partnership with the state in order to protect the unique beauty of the mountains and preserve the hiking experience of the Long Trail. Taking a step back from protecting these properties would not be in keeping with the purpose for which they were conserved.’
The club also noted with concern that, while the previous plan referred to the 2004 policy as a ‘wind project moratorium’, it now calls it a ‘written policy on renewable energy projects’. While at least one legislator has proposed legislation to codify aspects of this policy, the administration is correct that this is an administrative policy that the governor has authority to change. However, it is essential that the administration abide by this policy and that the policy remain strong. The club is happy to work with the administration, and the legislature as needed, to solidify these protections in state policies.
During the public comment period for the plan, the club filed comments urging state energy planners to take a step back from the suggestion that the wind development moratorium should be rescinded. The club is entrusted by the Vermont General Assembly ‘with the responsibility for the leadership in the development of policies’ relating to The Long Trail which the club established and has maintained for the last century.
The state’s policy recommendation can be found here on pdf page 159 (document page 147). Both clauses can also be read side-by-side here:
Clause in Final Plan:
‘(2) Given the potential benefits of renewable energy and the allowance of other types of development (such as telecommunication towers) permitted on public lands, ANR should consider revising and clarifying its December 2004 written policy on renewable energy projects sited on state lands, specifically with regard to net metered and small-scale projects.’
Clause in Draft Plan:
‘(5) Given the potential benefits of wind power and the allowance of other types of renewable resources and other development (such as telecommunication towers) permitted on public lands, ANR should consider rescinding its December 2004 wind project moratorium on public lands; so long as the same level of scrutiny is provided to wind projects proposed for public lands as for other locations, there should be no automatic impediment to such projects.’
The existing 2004 moratorium already promotes net-metered and small-scale project. It states: ‘The Agency shall actively encourage and promote development of small-scale, renewable energy applications in appropriate locations on ANR lands. (This includes ANR lands under long term lease to ski areas). The Agency can accomplish this through development of net-metered renewable energy projects on ANR lands and exploring voluntary purchase programs for surplus electricity generated on ANR lands.’
The Green Mountain Club supports investments in energy efficiency, small-scale renewable energy generation, as well as conservation and stewardship. The club is powered by 100 percent on-site renewable energy and utilizes clean-burning wood heat and hot water systems at its Waterbury Center headquarters. Over the last twenty-five years, the club has conserved over 25,000 acres of Vermont land in partnership with the state, private land owners, the U.S. Forest Service and other partners.
To read the club’s full comments on the energy plan, click here.
WATERBURY CENTER, Vt., December 16, 2011
Green Mountain Club disappointed in Vermont Energy Plan's wind provision
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