Siting Bill to be Heard on the Mountaintop

The latest versions of the wind siting bill that failed to pass in the last session are slated for a hearing on September 7, 2011 at 10:00 am. Jiminy Peak in Hancock, MA is the location for one of two planned hearings. The ski operation has a 1.5 MW turbine to reduce costs for its operations.

This very inopportune timing and location seems designed to prevent opposition to the bills from being heard.

The first days of classes in many Massachusetts schools and colleges occur that week. Parents, teachers, students and staff will not be able to get away. Their concerns about the threat to their health and to their ability to have local control over siting decisions will not receive the hearing they deserve.

The State of Massachusetts gave over half a million dollars in grants from the Renewable Energy Trust (RET) to the Jiminy Peak turbine. RET funds come from surcharges on commercial and residential utility bills.