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Here is a messy case of an effort to develop a wind farm on Cape Cod (the picture on the right is of a Danish wind farm) and how it affects the rituals of the tribe, Wampanoag. As usual, here is a mixture of politics, science, business, environmental issues and Native property rights:
The Wampanoag - the tribe that welcomed the Pilgrims in the 17th century and known as "The People of the First Light" - practice sacred rituals requiring an unblocked view of the sunrise. That view won't exist once 130 turbines, each over 400 feet tall, are built several miles from shore in Nantucket Sound, visible to Wampanoag in Mashpee and on Martha's Vineyard.
Tribal rituals, including dancing and chanting, take place at secret sacred sites around the sound at various times, such as the summer and winter solstices and when an elder passes.
The Wampanoag fight to preserve their ceremonies has become the latest obstacle - some say delay tactic - for a pioneering wind energy project that seemed at the cusp of final approval.
"We, the Wampanoag people, who opened our arms and allowed people to come here for religious freedoms, are now being threatened with our religion being taken away for the profits of one single group of investors," Green said.
The Mashpee and Aquinnah Wampanoag claim Nantucket Sound is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as a Traditional Cultural Property. The tribes say the designation, which would come with new regulations for activity on the sound, is needed to preserve not only their pristine views but ancestors' remains buried on Horseshoe Shoal, where the turbines would be built.
Of course, things are not that simple:Cape Wind supporters say the tribes' claim for a National Register listing for the sound is baseless and was sprung late, in league with the project's most vociferous opponents, the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound.
"I think this is clearly a tactic for delay, for delay's sake," said Mark Rodgers, a spokesman for Cape Wind. "I think it's fair to say, looking at the past eight years, that opponents to Cape Wind have tried every conceivable strategy to slow down or stop the project."
But the question hinges on what can be included as Traditional Cultural Property?
A parks service decision that the sound should be listed a Traditional Cultural Property wouldn't kill Cape Wind, but it could add months to the approval process by forcing developers to comply with the designation's various standards.
...
Two Massachusetts environmental and economic development officials, Ian Bowles and Greg Bialecki, produced a list of commercial activities - from commercial fishing to sand mining - they said would be hurt by the ensuing new regulations. They also argued the Supreme Court has ruled that a vast, unenclosed body of water such as the 560-square mile Nantucket Sound isn't eligible as a Traditional Cultural Property.
"It seems clear that this request for such a designation, coming at this time, is an attempt to block or further delay renewable energy development in Nantucket Sound," their letter said.
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Greenfield-based renewable energy specialist PV Squared announced today an extension to the Greenfield Solar Challenge, a time-limited program in partnership with the Town of Greenfield to increase adoption of renewable energy in Greenfield with special pricing for Greenfield home and business owners. The program, which was slated to end on November 15th, has been extended to Wednesday, November 26th, allowing any interested residents who submit a request for a solar assessment prior to Thanksgiving to participate in the program.
The program has been a great success, with more than 30 Greenfield residents already signed on for over 260 kilowatts of solar to be installed through the program. This is more than 3 times than the total amount of solar PV installed in Greenfield in 2013, according to the Massachusetts DOER. The Greenfield Solar Challenge program is based on a tiered pricing system, which lowers project costs for all program participants as contracted volume increases, and has successfully reached the lowest pricing tier. All program participants are able to receive a solar site assessment from PV Squared, and all participants with viable project sites will have the opportunity to receive a detailed project proposal based on the lowest pricing tier of 3.40 per watt.
"Even outside of this program, it's a great time to go solar here in Massachusetts", said Andy Toomajian, outreach and communications director for PV Squared. "The Greenfield Solar Challenge offers an additional incentive for Greenfield home and business owners that makes a good deal even better. We've been thrilled with the level of interest we've seen, and wanted to make sure everyone in Greenfield who is interested in participating has the chance to do so. I'd encourage anyone who is curious to get in touch, and we'll be glad to take a look at your situation and discuss your options."
More than 150 Greenfield home and business owners have already submitted a solar assessment request through the Greenfield Solar Challenge and PV Squared will be following up with everyone who submits their information prior to Wednesday, November 26th. Everyone who submits their information before the program's end will have the opportunity to receive a no-obligation project proposal with the program's special pricing.
Interested residents can contact Anne Perkins, the Town of Greenfield's Solar Coach, at 413-772-1389, or call PV Squared at 413-772-8778 with any questions. Filling out a request for a solar assessment through the program is the best way to ensure your ability to participate in the program, and involves no cost or obligation. Assessment requests can be submitted online at GreenfieldSolarChallenge.com or by stopping in to the Town of Greenfield planning office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 114 Main Street, and if possible, it's best to include a copy of a recent electric bill for review.
"We're thrilled to be able to partner with a Greenfield business with over a decade of leadership in their field for this program. PV Squared has done a great job in helping folks in town learn more about what making the switch to solar can look like for them", said Carole Collins, Sustainability Director for the Town of Greenfield. "We're doing this program because renewable energy is safe and reliable, and offers real economic and environmental benefits for the project owner and the community. That's not just talk: The current solar market is so attractive; I'm doing a solar project on my house that will effectively eliminate my electric bill and pay for itself in less than 5 years. We're thrilled to see so many people in town excited to be a part of this program, and are very pleased that PV Squared is able to extend the timeline to allow as many people as possible to get involved."
The post PV Squared Announces Extension to Greenfield Solar Challenge appeared first on PVSquared.
