In January 2015, Vineyard Wind and Vineyard Power signed the nation’s first, federally recognized, offshore wind Community Benefit Agreement in the United States.
Vineyard Power Coop and Vineyard Wind's Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) aims to bring specific value from offshore wind farm development to the islands and the region including, but not limited to, local job creation, and the construction of an operations and maintenance facility in Vineyard Haven harbor. Since the signing of the CBA, Vineyard Power has been involved in the day to day operations, specifically leading outreach and playing an integral role in the permitting of the wind farm.
Vineyard Power
Vineyard Power Cooperative, a member owned 501-c-12 non-profit, based on the island of Martha’s Vineyard was formed in November 2009. With a growing membership base of over 1,400 households & businesses, the cooperative aims to keep the benefits and control of our local renewable energy resources within our island community.
Their mission, as a 21st century energy cooperative, is to produce electricity from local, renewable resources while advocating for and keeping the benefits within our island community. Their vision is to make the island of Martha's Vineyard carbon neutral, in domestic electricity, transportation and home heating, by 2050.
Community outreach and education has been a primary objective for Vineyard Power since its formation in November 2009. Vineyard Power works to inform the public of state and national renewable energy goals/processes, including the regulatory framework and ensuring that the communities' desired outcomes are addressed. Vineyard Power is currently working on a piece of legislation, Community Empowerment that will allow municipalities to choose and enable the financing of renewable energy projects that will ultimately power their communities.