The Martha’s Vineyard Commission will hold a public hearing on the draft Wind Energy Plan for Dukes County at 7:15 pm on Thursday, October 4.
The comprehensive 155-page draft plan aims to allow for reasonable wind energy development while minimizing potentially detrimental impacts on natural resources and human uses, according to a press release from MVC executive director Mark London. The plan includes policies for where wind turbines may be allowed, where they should be subject to special review, and what standards should apply, he said.
The draft Wind Energy Plan for Dukes County was prepared by the MVC and the Wind Energy Plan Work Group, which included representatives of all seven Dukes County towns, the Wampanoag Tribe, and many Island organizations.
The MVC released the draft plan in July 2011 and held public meetings to get feedback. Changes in the latest version include rewording of the section on the determination of appropriate scale for offshore wind and completion of various data calculations, Mr. London’s press release said.
The draft plan is available on the MVC website, www.mvcommission.org (search for Wind Energy Plan September 2012). The commission invites comments on the revised draft plan before October 8, 2012, with a goal to finalize and adopt the plan in the next few weeks.
