CLIMATE ACTION
TASK FORCE
MARTHAS VINEYARD COMMISSION
TOWN
CLIMATE ADVISORY COMMITTEES
The Vineyard Sustainable Energy Committee (VSEC)
In July 2016, representatives of all six Island towns (several of which have town-level energy committees) expressed interest in exploring the establishment of an Islandwide sustainable energy committee. The Vineyard Sustainable Energy Committee (VSEC) was created to focus on developing and maintaining a sustainable energy master plan for the Island (based on the Energy section of the 2010 Island Plan), providing coordination and communication among our towns regarding sustainable energy initiatives, fostering sustainable energy efforts most appropriately addressed on a multi-town basis (e.g., electric vehicle charging stations, community solar projects), and serving as a united voice for Martha’s Vineyard in the area of sustainable energy.
VSEC Representatives
Aquinnah: Bill Lake - lake.williamt@gmail.com
Chilmark: Rob Hannemann - robhannemann48@gmail.com
West Tisbury: Sue Hruby - sue.hruby@usa.net
Vineyard Haven: Bill Straw - iseau235@aol.com
Oak Bluffs: Richard Toole - richardtoole@hotmail.com
Edgartown: Alan Strahler - alan@bu.edu
WHAT DO THEY DO?
Coordinate with Town Energy committees and providing an idea- and information-sharing forum for sustainable energy efforts.
Proposing, maintaining, and publicizing an Island-wide sustainable energy master plan.
Town Climate Advisory Committees (*you can join these!!)
The Climate and Energy Advisory Committees are appointed to assist the Town through its Select Board in carrying out the vision and initiatives to implement the Town’s strategies for energy conservation, clean energy, green community initiatives and planning for energy sustainability for the Town. The Committees also assist the Town in assessing the climate change impacts to the Town’s infrastructure, environment and socio-economic systems and evaluate community resiliency strategies for adapting to sea level rise and climate change in a manner that helps to strengthen the community.
Contacts
Aquinnah: William Lake - lake.williamt@gmail.com
West Tisbury: Kate Guiney - wtenergy@westtisbury-ma.gov
Vineyard Haven: Melinda Loberg - melindaloberg@gmail.com
Oak Bluffs: Bill Cleary - mvappraisal2@comcast.net
Edgartown: Julia Livingston- deutz@comcast.net
Chilmark: Robert Hanneman - robhannemann48@gmail.com
Vineyard Power seeks to foster the production of electricity from local, renewable resources while enhancing resiliency at our community's critical facilities and ensuring equitable access for all residents and businesses. Their vision for the island is to be 100% renewable in electricity, transportation, and heating by 2040.
Solar, offshore wind, battery storage, smart grid technology, energy efficiency, and education will help us get there.
WHAT DO THEY DO?
Provide Energy coaching to island residents + businesses
Provide resources on transitioning to electric vehicles and solar
Cape Light Compact is a nationally recognized award-winning energy services organization operated by the 21 towns on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard and Dukes County. The Compact’s mission is to serve its 210,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy and renewable competitive electricity supply.
WHAT DO THEY DO?
Provide Energy coaching to island residents + businesses and assistance with Mass Save programs.
Provide resources on transitioning to electric vehicles and solar
The MVC Climate Action Task Force (CATF), made up of Commissioners and staff, along with Island leaders and professionals, is working to develop an Island-wide Climate Resilience Plan with strategies for adapting to climate change impacts in the coming years. The Task Force is also working to develop a master plan for energy, with a goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions on the Island by 2040.
The Task Force meets on the first and third Fridays at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom.
Questions and comments may be sent to MVC Climate Change Planner Liz Durkee at durkee@mvcommission.org
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission
In 1974, Dukes County voters and the Massachusetts General Court made the bold decision to create the Martha's Vineyard Commission and give it special powers to manage Island development. The Commission was given two primary responsibilities.
Planning: It is responsible for regional land use planning for all seven towns of Dukes County.
Regulation: It has special regulatory roles with respect to development in the six towns of Martha's Vineyard.
On the Vineyard, six towns share one island. Only by working together can we effectively deal with our shared resources and concerns such as water, open spaces and Island character, traffic and transportation, sustainable economy and the supply of affordable housing. The MVC has been promoting smart growth for decades and have shown that respecting the environment is key to a strong economy.
WHAT DO THEY DO?
Conduct important research, prepare plans to guide the future, facilitate implementation, make development projects smarter.
HOW THEY CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION?
Provide us with maps, statistics and data to inform our approach. Securing grant funding. Inter-town mobilization.
Contact: Climate Coordinator, Liz Durkee @ durkee@mvcommission.org