MMA cites concerns in wind facility bills

On Sept. 7 in the town of Hancock, the MMA testified in opposition to several wind facility siting bills before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

This is the second year the legislation has been debated in the State House.

The MMA is opposing the current bills (S. 1666, H. 1759 and H. 1775 ) because, unlike last year’s legislation, they would prohibit a municipal representative from participating in any non-wind matter before the Energy Facilities Siting Board.

The MMA is also opposing the bills because they would allow developers to file incomplete applications to cities and towns, forcing communities to make siting decisions within 30 days based on incomplete applications.

The bills also would require municipalities with significant wind resources to establish a wind energy permitting board, rather than allowing them the option to do so, which was part of past legislation.

MMA members have raised significant concerns in the past regarding the ability of the Energy Facilities Siting Board to overturn a denial by a local wind permitting board. The MMA asked the committee to include language such as, “No project permit denied by the local board may be appealed to or filed with the EFSB.” The MMA also asked that any permit application with the EFSB be determined to be incomplete until a local building permit has been issued.

At the hearing, James McCaffrey, director of the state’s Sierra Club chapter, said the state needs to develop energy from wind.

“Let’s get this done,” he said. “Let’s make sure the communities have the first say.”

The committee is planning to host a second hearing in October at Cape Cod Community College. The committee is also accepting written testimony.

• MMA letter to Utilities and Energy Committee calling for changes to wind siting bills