Martha’s Vineyard prides itself on being ahead of the curve for alternative lifestyles, conservation and clean living. We are independent of the rest of New England physically as well as emotionally. We live in nature and are surrounded by natural beauty to be preserved and valued. We don’t consider ourselves extensions of Massachusetts or Cape Cod, we are from Martha’s Vineyard. We have no chain stores or billboards, we buy locally and pay into land bank as a way of life. We have worked hard to protect the integrity of our environment.
The hot Vineyard issue of the moment is wind farming in and around our ocean waters. It seems that we could very realistically achieve even more independence by producing our own energy. By installing wind turbines in the ocean we could have our own source of renewable energy and at a fraction of our present costs. Sounds like a win-win, but what about the few consequences? In order for this plan to reach fruition, a majority of Vineyard residents would have to approve the implementation of a grid of very large wind turbines offshore. A veritable garden of massive white flowers collecting precious energy and moving us along on the sustainability path.
So what are those consequences? The obvious is visual. Though we have been assured of a say in where the wind farm would be erected, it will exist somewhere. Whether we will be able to see it from parts of the Island or not has yest to be determined, but the point is that someone will be able to see it somehow. This is a trade off, energy for unsightly wind towers. If you are out boating, sailing, fishing, will you be alarmed when you come across this installation? I will be.
How about environmental issues? Wildlife, erosion, the demands of the actual installation in the ocean floor, these are just a few that I can think up in seconds. I am no scientist, but have no doubt that I am only scratching the surface in terms of risk to the ocean and its denizens.
It has become a big topic of discussion and controversy in our area. There are those who believe that this type of sustainable energy exemplifies what Martha’s Vineyard stands for, and those who think it will destroy what we consider to be a precious resource. The unspoiled horizon and the knowledge that you can get out there and see nothing but ocean, as far as the eye can see. What is it worth to you?
For information on Vineyard wind energy Vineyard Power
For information on how to have a voice Let Vineyarders decide
The jury is still out in this debate, let’s not rush into anything that we don’t fully understand. Could there be smaller, less obtrusive ways to generate energy? If not today, then tomorrow or next week? Are there other issues that affect our quality of life that may be more accessible to us today? Take a minute and think about it.
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