Regarding Article 14 of this fall’s annual Town Meeting, seeking more taxpayer money to dismantle and relocate the wind turbines, perhaps House Bill H2928, The Wind Energy Relief Act, should be discussed.
This legislation, sponsored by state Representative David Vieira (and backed by Rep. Dylan Fernandes), ensures “that citizens, businesses, and municipalities adversely affected by the operation of a wind turbine receive appropriate remuneration and assistance from the Commonwealth. It provides two compensation funds: 1.) a $15 million per year Energy Relief Fund for people, businesses, and cities and towns impacted adversely by wind turbines, and 2.) a $7.5 million per year Turbine Decommissioning Fund.”
The funds will come from the millions of dollars that are already collected from electric ratepayers and then credited to the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund.
“The Executive Office of Administration and Finance shall make available the Energy Relief Fund to citizens, businesses, and municipalities as compensation for losses incurred as a result of detrimental health effects or any property loss or any other adverse impact resultant from the siting of a wind turbine in the Commonwealth developed with any assistance from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.”
Neil P. Andersen
Blacksmith Shop Road
West Falmouth
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/10/25/state-help-is-available/