Wind energy symposium seeking local participants  

Credit:  The Berkshire Eagle | www.berkshireeagle.com 22 June 2012 ~~

NORTH ADAMS — A Western Massachusetts Wind Energy Landscape Symposium will be held next month to gauge the public attitudes toward forms of wind energy development in their communities.

The July 26 symposium at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams is aimed at developing a set of best practices about local wind energy siting.

During this event, participants will discuss the opportunities and impacts of wind energy development and engage in interactive wind energy scenario planning. In addition to this event, wind energy symposia have been conducted in Laramie County, Wyo., Manistee County, Mich., and Clay County, Minn.

Participants will be recruited based on local demographics, aiming for balance in education, age, income and gender. Participants will receive a $100 stipend for attending the full day event and will be provided with meals. If municipal officials would like to participate, they should note that they are limited by state ethics laws from receiving stipends equal to or greater than $50 in value.

To participate, visit www.berkshireplanning.org for an application. The following towns are being targeted for participation: Florida, Savoy, Windsor, Peru, North Adams, Adams, Cheshire, Washington, Becket, Lanesborough, New Ashford, Monroe, Rowe, Heath, Charlemont, Hawley, Buckland, Ashfield, Shelburne, Colrain and Leyden, but anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to apply. The initial deadline for application is Monday.

Applicant names will be placed into a randomized database from which the final participant pool will be selected by the project research team. If you are chosen to participate, you will receive a phone call or email confirming your availability during the last week of June.

The symposium is co-sponsored by the Berkshire Regional Planning Com mission as a very important step in understanding residents’ perceptions and understanding of wind energy project siting in the region. BRPC is assisting the research group with their efforts. It is funded through a National Science Foun dation grant to Dr. Roopali Phadke of Macalester College. The project was developed by a national advisory board including academics, energy practitioners and policy specialists.