By KATY SAVAGE
[email protected]
WINDSOR, Vt. — The Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission (SWCRPC) board adopted a new regional energy plan at a meeting on Monday.
The plan, which eight board members passed unanimously, lays out how the region will meet the state’s renewable energy goal, which requires use of 90 percent renewable energy by 2050.
To reach the goal, the region would generate 194,612 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy — 11 times more than it generated in 2015.
“We are actively planning for the 90 percent renewable [goal],” said SWCRPC Director of Planning Jason Rasmussen. “This plan is attempting to articulate how and where.”
The plan considers hydropower, biomass, wind and solar as sources of energy for the region’s future. Models suggest wind could be a leading source of power, with the potential of 25,396,782 MWh of energy being produced in this area.
The plan further identifies four towns that could be ideal sources of wind power. Models show high elevations in Reading, Ludlow, Andover and Chester experience wind speeds ideal for wind turbines.
There have been no proposals to construct wind turbines in this region, but the suggestion that wind energy could be developed has been a topic of concern.
“It’s certainly been contentious,” said Rasmussen. “There’s not clear argument — is wind good or not good? We’re really trying to find a balance.”
The regional energy plan was created in response to Act 174, which highlights Vermont’s renewable energy goals. Act 174 was passed by the legislature and signed into law by the governor in June 2016.
“The biggest challenges are less about renewable energy generation and more about how we can have our aging housing stock weatherized and brought up to an energy-efficient standards,” Rasmussen said. Another major concern is transportation.
The SWCRPC serves 10 towns from Andover to Windsor. In 2015, there were 276 solar arrays, four residential-scale wind turbines, and six hydropower facilities in this region. It’s unclear how the state will achieve the renewable energy goals.
“We’re assuming a mix of technology will be needed. The real question is what scale and where,” Rasmussen said.
There were no members of the public at the hearing on Monday. This was the second of two public hearings. The first was held on May 21.
The plan will be submitted to the state Department of Public Service for review.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.