Originally published on Vermont Digger in December 2015
Renewable energy continues to be a divisive issue in Vermont, whether siting issues or Vermont’s renewable energy policies in general. As many in Montpelier have noted, Vermont has experienced substantial growing pains over the past several years with the rapid build-out of renewable energy projects. According to Dr. Asa Hopkins’ September presentation to the Solar Siting Task Force, Vermont has built 120 megawatts (MW) of solar with 75 megawatts in progress on about 1,000 acres of land. Those numbers have probably grown since September.
According to the same presentation, by 2032, Vermont is expected to have 500-750 MW of solar requiring about 200-350 acres of land per year. Certainly, the growing pains will continue. In order to be successful, we cannot continue to allow the issues that divide us to fester. Both sides of the debate bear responsibility for the divisiveness and both sides should take steps to move closer toward each other. Continue reading “Bridging the Renewable Energy Divide”