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Vineyard Power: Who We Are

Vineyard Power: Wind Timeline

Offshore Wind Update

Beginning July 29, 2013, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will be holding an auction to lease a 164,750 acre area known as the Rhode Island & Massachusetts Area of Mutual Interest (AMI).  

Sadly, against our cooperative's efforts BOEM elected not to use a Multi-Factor Auction (MFA) format which would give bidders, who have a community benefit portion, a discount in the auction.  Instead they will be using an MFA which gives discounts for Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).  

Vineyard Power, its membership and the community will continue to lobby BOEM and our politicians to ensure that community benefits are incorporated in the lease auction process for the Massachusetts Wind Energy Area.

To get involved or to learn more please email our office at info@vineyardpower.com or call 508-693-3002. 

Welcome to the Vineyard Power Cooperative

Vineyard Power is a 501(c)12, non-profit, energy co-operative based on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Our mission, as a 21st century utility company, is to produce electricity from local, renewable resources while advocating for and keeping the benefits within our island community. 
Our vision is to be Martha's Vineyard's community-owned utility company. 
These goals will be accomplished through several commercial scale solar installations, an offshore wind farm, and the implementation of smart grid technology.

Click HERE to learn more about the history of utility co-operatives.

Vineyard Power is made up of a growing list of residents (seasonal and year-round) and businesses.  Together, our goal is to power our Island from renewable sources. 
By owning, generating, and consuming this renewable energy, the cooperative will stabilize and minimize its members' electrical costs while reducing our overall carbon footprint.

Background

Vineyard Power was developed by the Vineyard Energy Project to help the Island achieve the energy goals of the Martha's Vineyard Island Plan. This master plan was formed and developed by thousands of Vineyarders and seeks a sustainable future for Martha's Vineyard that maintains our island's character while ensuring a healthy local economy.
For a more detailed picture of the history of Vineyard Power, please visit our interactive timeline.

Members

A lifetime ownership stake in Vineyard Power presently costs $150. This is a one-time payment.

The economic benefits of cooperative membership begin with stabilized electricity prices by 2018 and then lower prices after the initial financing period. To learn more about membership in Vineyard Power, visit the Join section of our website.

Energy

Given the state of current technology, studies have shown that wind power is the most promising and abundant renewable energy resource on and around Martha's Vineyard. Private wind power developers have also realized this potential: the waters surrounding Martha's Vineyard have become the subject of many developement interests.

Vineyard Power is a way for Vineyarders to take ownership for our Island and our surroundings, and to ensure that the generation of wind energy off our shores directly benefits our community. Local control will also ensure that location of offshore turbines must be appropriate for our Island's landscape and cultural values.