Winter 2025 Newsletter
February 2025
VINEYARD POWER SPRING NEWSLETTER
Dear Reader,
Vineyard Power's 2025 New Year's resolution is to continue working hard to secure affordable, renewable energy for households and businesses across Martha’s Vineyard.
Keep reading to see what we have been up to as of late and what we’re looking forward to in 2025!
Updates
New Staff:
Hollis is joining the Vineyard Power team, after interning with us this summer, to assist in the implementation of the Energy Transition Program, with the goal of transitioning the island to a 100% renewable community by 2040. His focus will be on supporting Vineyard Power operations, assessing and managing current and future solar and battery storage projects, and ensuring an equitable energy transition. Last but not least, Hollis will be leading Vineyard Power's island-wide education programs at the town's elementary schools as well as the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
Hollis grew up on Martha's Vineyard and graduated with his B.A. in Environmental Studies and a minor in English from Saint Michael's College. He’s excited to be home on the island helping electrify Martha's Vineyard!
Energy Open Mic!:
On January 15th and February 12th, Vineyard Power hosted “Energy Open Mic!” events. During these first events, of what we plan to be a recurring series, the Vineyard Power team opened up its office to 15 members of the community as a space to discuss all things related to energy and the island’s energy transition. Anyone with interest in attending a future “Energy Open Mic!” can sign up for upcoming sessions using this link, which can also be found on the home page of the Vineyard Power website. We are looking forward to our next session, which will take place on March 12th. Space is limited to 15 attendees per session, so sign up today if you are interested!
Annual Membership Meeting:
Vineyard Power hosted its 15th annual Membership Meeting on December 3rd at the Vineyard Power office. The Vineyard Power team provided updates on everything we accomplished in 2024, and let attending members know what to look out for from us in 2025. Topics discussed included Vineyard Power's progress in enrolling MV residents into the Mass Save program, our no-cost Energy Coaching service, ongoing education efforts at the island's middle schools and high school, updates on nearby offshore wind developments, details of proposed solar and battery storage projects at critical facilities on MV, and much more!
Additionally, 3 new board members - Ann Berwick, Fred Murphy, and Rob Hannemann - were elected to the Vineyard Power Cooperative board of directors. They join Bill Lake, Julius Lowe, Mike Jacobs, Jeff Parker, and Victoria Riskin. Those who attended, we thank you, and those who did not get the chance, we hope to see you at next year's meeting!
Mass Save Community First Partnership:
We are very happy to announce that Vineyard Power has been renewed as the Community First Partner of Cape Light Compact and Mass Save for the next 3 years! Through our partnership with the Compact and in turn the Mass Save Program, Vineyard Power has enrolled nearly 1000 households on Martha's Vineyard in 2024 to have a no-cost home energy assessment, conducted over 100 outreach events across all 6 towns on Martha’s Vineyard, provided over 100 no-cost Energy Coaching sessions, and strengthened our team of dedicated energy experts. We look forward to continuing our work of supporting the Mass Save program and helping to secure equitable access to clean, renewable energy for ratepayers across Martha’s Vineyard.
Cape Light Compact Power Supply:
Since 2023, Vineyard Power has made donations totaling $340,000 to the Cape Light Compact to provide subsidies to lower the cost of electricity to over 450 income eligible households on Martha's Vineyard.
Individuals on the Eversource 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 10-15% savings, on average.
To verify that you qualify, call us at 508-693-3002 or email us at info@vineyardpower.com.
This initiative is funded in part by Vineyard Wind's Resiliency and Affordability Program, which seeks to increase resiliency at critical facilities and provide benefits to income eligible ratepayers.
Island Housing Trust Partnership:
In 2024, Vineyard Power pledged Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) to local non-profit affordable housing developer Island Housing Trust (IHT) to support the achievement of net-zero housing through the construction of solar PV systems that will subsidize the cost of electricity for tenants at IHT’s Kuehn’s Way, Meshacket Commons, and Tackenash Knoll developments.
From this pledge, Vineyard Power remitted the first Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00) to IHT for the purchase and construction of a 132 kW DC solar PV system at Kuehn’s Way affordable housing development, which will effectively subsidize the cost of electricity for tenants. We look forward to continuing our work with Island Housing Trust as they build the future of our island community.
Check out the following links to learn more about the projects:
Richard at the Meshacket Commons
groundbreaking ceremony in November.
New Mass Save 3-Year Plan:
Pending approval, Mass Save is set to release a new 3-year Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Plan. The 2025-27 edition will be largely similar to the previous 2022-24 plan, but will come with a few notable differences. Highlights include:
Moderate Income Turnkey Offer - All moderate income customers (60-80% of Area or State Median Income, whichever is greater) and renters will be eligible to receive heat pumps and other housing upgrades such as insulation and weatherization at no-cost!
Heat Pump Rebates Set to Decrease Annually - The maximum market-rate (greater than 80% of Area or State Median Income) rebate amount for whole home air source heat pumps is currently $10,000, but will drop by $1000 each year starting in 2026. Anyone looking to maximize savings, now is the time to install!
No Rebates for Fossil Fuel Equipment - Mass Save will no longer offer rebates of any kind for fossil fuel products, including fuel boilers, furnaces, and water heaters.
HEAT Loan Term and Amount Changes - The HEAT Loan maximum financable amount is being capped at $25,000 and term lengths will range from 12 to 84 months (1-7 years) depending on the lender and loan amount.
Click here to view the full proposed 2025-2027 Mass Save Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Plan.
Hillside Village Sign-up Event:
On January 22nd, Vineyard Power held a sign-up event at Hillside Village in Vineyard Haven to help residents of Island Elderly Housing get enrolled in income-eligible ratepayer assistance programs. Elderly ratepayers on Martha’s Vineyard often live on a fixed income, and the cost of heating and cooling their home can be burdensome. Programs such as the R2/R4 Eversource Discount Rate, Fuel Assistance through South Shore Community Action Council, enrolling in Low Income Community Shared Solar, and the Vineyard Power / Cape Light Compact Power Supply Subsidy can help to alleviate the cost of electricity, and in combination with one another, can save ratepayers up to 90% on the cost of their annual electricity bills. If your annual household income falls below 60% of the state median income, you may be eligible for the programs above and should reach out to Vineyard Power to help you apply!
Check if you qualify here:
Upcoming Events
Chilmark Public Library Tabling Event
February 19th from 3:00-5:00pm
Stop & Shop Tabling Event
March 6th from 4:00-5:30pm
Collaboration Consumer Clinic Presentation
March 8th from 12:00-3:00pm
What we’re keeping an eye on…
Boston (Mass.gov) - Governor Maura Healey signed into law An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers. This legislation will accelerate clean energy development, improve energy affordability, create an equitable infrastructure siting process, allow for multistate clean energy procurements, promote non-gas heating, expand access to electric vehicles and create jobs and support workers throughout the energy transition.
Boston (WGBH) - Governor Maura Healy delivered her State of the Commonwealth address on January 16th. Healy spoke about the transition of power occurring in Washington, promising that despite anticipated losses in revenue, Massachusetts will continue to work with the federal government to secure benefits for the Commonwealth. At the same time, Healy pledged that, “we will not change who we are,” as a part of this partnership with the federal government. The Governor also commented on proposed infrastructure upgrades, the necessity for housing, and healthcare reform. Healy concluded with. a confirmation that "the state of our Commonwealth is strong."
National (The Hill) - As renewable energy costs drop, more Americans are joining the energy transition away from fossil fuels despite shifting political tides in Washington. Since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed in 2022, renewables and natural gas are being adopted at higher rates. From 2010 to 2023, US production of renewables doubled, going from making up about 10% of the nation's produced electricity to over 20%. Natural gas jumped from making up 24% to 43% of the energy produced in the country.
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 making a fully tax-deductible donation today!
Sincerely,
The Vineyard Power Team