Editor’s note: This commentary is by Scott Garren, the treasurer and state committeeman for the Rutland County Democrats, Rights and Democracy Leadership Committee member and Treasurer of the Vermont Political Revolution Fund. These opinions are his own and not those of any of the organizations.
[A]ll the news and commentary on Matt Dunne and industrial wind siting got me thinking. I endorsed Matt back last October because I was excited by his pledge to fight for economic justice and his support for Bernie Sanders before it became fashionable. What should I make of the industrial wind controversy and should I change my mind on my endorsement as a few others have?
I think most Vermonters and most Democrats nationally believe climate change is real, man-made and serious threat to the sustainability of our way of life. We agree that we must take urgent action to address it. I believe that industrial-scale renewable energy projects at the national level, solar, wind and hydro included, must be an important part of our response to the climate crises.
Vermonters now face three critical questions: 1. what large-scale renewable energy projects are appropriate in Vermont; 2. where should they be located and; 3. who gets a voice in the decision process.
Some environmentalists feel that the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) is the appropriate venue for working out answers to these questions. They fear that allowing more public political participation will lead to NIMBYism and slow our response the climate crisis. Others feel that the PSB approval process is tilted towards big corporations and wealthy, often out-of-state, interests and that average Vermonters need support in having more of a voice in the decision-making. What should we make of this?
Two recent environmentally important PSB decisions helped me make my decision. In one the PSB decided to significantly cut incentives for residential grid-tied solar systems. These smaller systems are clearly appropriate in Vermont and beneficial to many Vermonters. However, the PSB sided with big utilities and industrial customers and against the environment.
Another series of PSB decisions has given us the ever more expensive fracking-gas pipeline. Investing all that money in weatherization, solar and heat pumps would make much better sense. Again, the PSB decided in favor of out-of-state financial and industrial interests at the expense of Vermont rate payers and our environment.
I cannot bring myself to put my faith in the current Vermont Public Service Board process. I feel it is completely appropriate for Dunne to say that as governor he would act to support Vermont communities in their negotiations with powerful financial and industrial interests.
