Renewable energy is necessary for a sustainable and strong local
economy. Solar, wind and biomass energy at today's prices/incentives are
all sound financial investments for homes and institutions. So
economically, there will be more and more motivation to deploy renewable
energy systems. That is a good thing.
The state PSB rules have recognized this and prioritized renewable
energy over some local permitting control, to reduce cost and speed up
our transition to renewable energy. However, that really only applies to
small-scale projects in towns that have not made any kind of proactive
plan around these issues. And the PSB process does give plenty of room
for neighbors to block questionable projects of any size.
LOCAL CONTROL
Personally, I support local control over anything related to property
development, and I support peoples' rights to private property. But I
believe that it's a bit absurd to complain that solar systems or wind
turbines are unsightly and are likely to ruin the character of the area.
How "sightly" are the gas stations and the giant propane stations
dotting The Valley? What about all the power lines in the villages and
crossing over ridgelines? Did my large firewood pile detract from the
value of my neighbor's vacation properties? How about that "unpatriotic"
war memorial that is wasting "prime agricultural land" that could be
growing enough food for several families?
Of course, I'm being more than a bit facetious, but my point is that we
need to get real. We're running out of fossil fuels and the economy is
not going to see any instant recovery. Renewable energy is currently
more cost effective than conventional sources, and renewable energy
creates local jobs. The town plans should each encourage a proactive
approach to transitioning The Valley to 75 percent local renewable
energy by 2020.
Local groups have done the baseline feasibility studies and the MRV
could sustainably heat 90 percent of its homes with locally harvested
wood, leaving 75 percent of our forests untouched and sustainably
managed forests that are already being logged. A few megawatts of wind
power (four big turbines taking up 25 acres total) would power all of
The Valley's homes and businesses, including the ski areas, at today's
utility prices.
The cost of the energy you will get from a residential solar power
system installed today is 10 cents per kWh, during the warranted life of
the panels. Everyone I know is already paying about 40 percent more
than that for their power from local utilities.
SECONDARY VALUE
All of these necessary developments will "change" the landscape while
they improve the local economy. Being "green" is a secondary value in my
opinion, but that's highly marketable from a tourism perspective.
Biomass requires more logging and, yes, even some logging trucks on the
roads. Thankfully, modern biomass district heating systems and
woodstoves burn incredibly efficiently with hardly any smoke. Wind
turbines require new/improved mountain roads and about five acres of
land for each one; and, yes, if you live next to one you can hear an
unpleasant humming noise.
Solar trackers can't be hidden in the woods or behind walls. They need
to be out in the open so the sun can hit them. But that's a good reason
to try to put them on the roof if possible. My point is that there is no
reason to think that a few turbines on one of our ridgelines or solar
trackers in people's yards or more local logging activities are going to
detract from overall property values. We're not talking about coal
mines and oil refineries, thankfully. We need to see solar panels and
wind turbines for the modern marvels of energy independence that they
represent.
We need to sustainably use our forest energy resources. We need to
realize that Vermont is in a position to lead the U.S. in terms of
building a real "green economy"; and we need to realize that this will
also increase tourism to the area while creating permanent, local jobs.
The Mad River Valley can attract many more tourists from all over the
world who will come because they've heard about our combination of
stunning scenery and sustainable intelligence. And we'll have the
foundation of energy sources that don't see any price increases or
fluctuations, because we'll be making our own energy with local natural
resources.
Does anyone really think that people won't come here to ski, hike or
bike because some energy-independent property owners have installed
solar systems in their yards? Let's please not preserve the past by
destroying the future. I look forward to the Waitsfield Planning
Commission meeting on May 18 and I hope a lot of people come to
contribute to the discussion.
Brown lives in Fayston.
