Falmouth Enterprise 3/15/11 OP-ED
OP-ED
Responds To Turbine Editorial
Falmouth Enterprise 3/15/11
The editor acknowledges in the March 11 Enterprise editorial, “the answer will
have to come with all stakeholders at the table and with everyone able and will-
ing to fi nd a solution.” The truth is the truth no matter who speaks
it.
I do not want to offend our good editor with an unpleasantly forceful argument.
On this we can both agree. The stakeholder invited to the table is the community.
It goes without saying: the community stands willing and able in their want for an
honest and just solution. How do we get there?
The editor actually describes the framework. And this approach, as a matter of
fact, is preferred over permitting “as-of-right” to allow consideration of site-
specific conditions and to receive input and comment from the public (municipal
use or not).
This exact approach is found in the Cape Cod Commission and Cape Light
Compact model bylaw for land-based wind energy conversion facilities(2004).
And, it so happens, Falmouthʼs very own energy committee Chair-person,
Megan Amsler (director of Cape Self-Reliance), peer reviewed its drafting. This
model was amended (2008) with the guidance of Mass Dept. of Energy
Resources & Mass Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. The special
permit provision remains viable. Incidentally, this 2008 draft was adopted after
Governor Patrickʼs successful push of the Green Communities Act while Ian
Bowles was the executive officer of environmental affairs.
The editorʼs question is answered. The need has been there for 10 months. The
intention has been made clear by the selectmen. The funding stream has
been there (a research and development need is an authorized use
of renewable energy resource proceeds).
The editor and myself believe itʼs time for a special permit process. The board of
selectmen need only vote. The result will bring Falmouth closer to answering,
“now what?”
“Now what?” A special permit process for both municipal turbines.
