Fall 2023 Newsletter
November 2023
VINEYARD POWER FALL NEWSLETTER
Dear Reader,
With a successful Summer behind us, and an exciting Winter ahead, here's a quick recap about what we've been up to and what you should keep an eye out for in the coming months.
Updates
New Staff:
Energy Transition Program:
This program is an effort to educate, coach, and support residents, businesses, and the building trades in a transition towards an environmentally just, 100% renewable energy and fossil fuel-free economy.
The Energy Transition Program is Vineyard Power's current focus. We are collaborating with partners around the state and island, including All six island towns,Massachusetts’ Clean Energy Center, the Mass Save Program, the Cape Light Compact, Vineyard Wind, Commonwealth Wind, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, the MV Public School system, and Adult Continuing Education of Martha’s Vineyard (ACE MV). Our initiatives include:
Supporting our island residents and businesses in signing up for no-cost Home/Business Energy Assessments - the first step in reducing your energy bill and your building's carbon footprint.
Continuing our no-cost energy coaching sessions on solar, electric vehicles, and buildings.
Reducing electricity costs for income-eligible islanders through financial donations and Low-Income Community Shared Solar projects.
Building an island workforce needed to make the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy & electrification.
Educating island youth about renewable energy and local employment opportunities throughout the energy transition.
Hiring interns through the MV Regional High School Work Study Program.
Enabling Solar & Energy Storage projects to increase resiliency at our island’s critical facilities.
Centering our efforts around Environmental Justice through outreach to populations that are English-isolated, income eligible, renters, and in environmental justice neighborhoods.
Spotlight:
Vineyard Power recently made a donation to the Cape Light Compact to provide monetary benefits to income eligible ratepayers on Martha's Vineyard.
Individuals on the utility discount rate (R2/R4) who chose the Cape Light Compact as their supplier will receive semi-annual checks to reduce the cost of electricity.
Participants in this initiative can expect to receive between $300-$400 per year, or approximately 15-20% savings, on average.
To verify that you qualify, call us at 508-693-3002 or email us at info@vineyardpower.com.
Martha's Vineyard Vision Fellowship Grant:
In 2022, Dion Alley undertook the role of Energy Transition Mentor Fellow at Vineyard Power for one year as part of the Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship. The Fellowship is a grassroots catalyst that empowers promising Islanders who are committed to the environmental and social sustainability of Martha’s Vineyard.
Dion played a key role in establishing and launching Vineyard Power’s Energy Transition Program. The program supports and empowers Islanders to make the necessary changes in homes, businesses, and personal transportation to realize a 100% renewable energy Island by 2040. Dion facilitated a range programs, including developing educational and workforce opportunities with the MV Public School system, establishing a no-cost Energy Coaching network to answer individual questions related to solar, transportation, and building weatherization & mechanicals, and organizing public workshops and events.
Dion successfully recruited and supported our new Energy Transition Coordinator Fellow, Thamiris Marta. We’d like to thank the invaluable support from the Martha’s Vineyard Fellowship, Dion Alley for the vital role he played in successfully launching the Energy Transition Program, and wish the best of luck to Thamiris!
Hiring Opportunity:
We are seeking a Martha's Vineyard resident for the position of Residential Energy Specialist with the RISE Group, to conduct scheduled home energy assessments.
As the Energy Specialist, you will conduct energy assessments of residential homes on behalf of Mass Save. Energy Specialists perform thorough, accurate residential energy audits to evaluate factors such as insulation, appliances, HVAC systems, lighting and electrical systems, moisture and air quality that affect home energy use, durability, safety and comfort. They identify potential energy efficiency measures, develop and present proposed work plans to energy end-users. The Energy Specialist explains recommended energy-efficiency measures and associated benefits, costs, and savings. The RISE Group is an employee-owned, professional engineering firm that provides a complete range of consulting, design, and energy services to customers throughout the United States and internationally.
Please contact us at info@vineyardpower.com to learn more about this position.
What we’re keeping an eye on…
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Tisbury (The Vineyard Gazette) - In early October, Governor Maura Healy, along with the governors of Connecticut and Rhode Island, launched a joint "effort to procure offshore wind energy." The hope is that a multi-state proposal would help reduce project costs and increase benefits across the region.
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Boston (AP News) - This summer, Governor Maura Healy launched the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank. The bank's goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in affordable & public housing developments. In Environmental Justice communities, buildings can account for up to 70% of total greenhouse gas emissions, compared to the rest of the state, where building emissions account for up to 25%.
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Boston (Environment America) - Ambitious renewable energy & electrification goals set by Massachusetts are paving the way for increased solar and wind power, electric vehicle sales and charging ports, and more. Environment Massachusetts' Research & Policy center launched the Renewables on the Rise Dashboard, tracking our state & nation's clean energy growth.
Vineyard Power is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization capable of receiving charitable donations. We rely on support from folks like you to advance renewable energy, energy efficiency, and equity in our island community. Please consider giving today!
Sincerely,
The Vineyard Power Team