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Alert – Wind Siting Legislation and Public Listening Session
MACC recognizes that climate change presents a significant environmental threat and that Massachusetts needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Wind power is one form of renewable energy that should be part of the solution, along with energy conservation and efficiency and other renewables such as solar.
All energy sources have some environmental impact. For wind power, the location of turbines and the roads and transmission lines serving them significantly affect the degree and type of environmental impacts. MACC believes that the commonwealth needs to develop and apply wind siting standards that protect important natural resources.
Legislation has been filed to streamline permitting for wind power projects. MACC supports provisions of the proposed wind siting legislation that would add these needed protections. It opposes provisions that remove or weaken existing local regulations and permitting authorities, and provisions making it more difficult or impossible for citizens to appeal permits.
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs recently issued a report citing potential development of up to 947 MW of wind power on conservation lands managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. MACC opposes any weakening of protections for Article 97 conservation lands.
TAKE ACTION: You can attend the following public comment session or submit a comment letter to let your voice be heard:
WHAT:
Officials of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and local legislators will host a public listening sessions in Pittsfield on June 24th to receive feedback on the potential for wind power development on state-owned lands.
For more information, click here.
WHEN: June 24, 2009, 6 pm
WHERE: Pittsfield June 24, Berkshire Community College Main campus K111 Theater 1350 West Street
Comments on the proposed legislation SB. 1504 and HB. 3065, An Act Relative to Comprehensive Wind Siting Reform can be submitted to the Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy.
The Honorable Michael W. Morrissey
Room 413D
State House
Boston, MA 02133
The Honorable Barry R. Finegold
Room 473B
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Comments on wind siting on state land should be directed to:
Commissioner Philip Giudice
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge St., Suite 1020
Boston, MA 02114
Commissioner Rick Sullivan
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02114-2104
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