Wind-Power Meeting To Be Held Tomorrow

A public meeting to present and discuss the for Dukes County will be held on Wednesday, August 24, Martha’s Vineyard Commission executive director Mark London has announced. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the in West Tisbury.

The plan analyzes both on- and offshore wind energy development for Martha’s Vineyard, and proposes policies for where and at what scale wind turbines may be allowed.

The meeting will start out with an update about the current status of wind energy planning and development in and around Dukes County. This will be followed by a presentation of highlights of the draft Wind Energy Plan. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period, and time for public comment. Admission is free.

The plan aims to allow for reasonable wind energy development while minimizing potentially detrimental impacts on natural resources and human uses, said London. It proposes policies for where wind turbines may be allowed, where they should be subject to special review, and what standards should apply.

It was prepared by the staff of the Martha's Vineyard Commission in cooperation with a Work Group made up of representatives of all seven towns of Dukes County, the Wampanoag Tribe, and Island organizations. The Work Group is seeking feedback from town boards, organizations, and members of the public before the plan is finalized this fall.

A copy of the draft plan can be downloaded from the Island Plan website: www.islandplan.org, or consulted at town libraries. For information, contact the Martha's Vineyard Commission, 508-693-3453, veno@mvcommission.org.