Spring 2025 Newsletter
May 2025
VINEYARD POWER SPRING NEWSLETTER
Dear Reader,
Spring is a time of change and new beginnings - a perfect time to participate in the renewable energy transition!
Read on to see what Vineyard Power has been busy with over the past few months, and what we’re excited for with the Summer season right around the corner!
Updates
Town Tax Bill Inserts:
In conjunction with each of the 6 towns on Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Power has launched a mailing campaign focussed on enrolling residents into the Mass Save energy efficiency program, as well as providing options low interest financing for solar installation. You can sign up for a Mass Save no-cost Home Energy Assessment using the link here. Upon completion of your assessment, you can gain access to rebates and incentives to help make your home more energy efficient and sustainable.
The mailings also promote Vineyard Power’s no-cost Energy Coaching service, which is available to any MV resident interested in discussing their energy efficiency and decarbonization goals with one of our team’s knowledgeable coaches.
Bill inserts are included with town property tax bills and were sent out in Aquinnah, West Tisbury, and Chilmark. Oak Bluffs and Tisbury will be sending their bills out in June, and Edgartown will mail theirs in December. Keep an eye on your mailbox!
Energy Open Mic!:
Back in January, Vineyard Power began the Energy Open Mic! series to address Islanders questions about energy efficiency, renewable energy technology, electric vehicles, ratepayer assistance programming, and more. These monthly events are conducted in a socratic seminar format, and have generated great conversations between MV residents, even when they might not see eye to eye on certain topics.
We’re pleased to announce that following a month off in June, the series will be continuing through the summer, with events being planned for July 9th and August 13th.
If you are interested in being a part of the discussion at a future Energy Open Mic! event, please sign up using the form linked here. The sign up form can also be found on the homepage of the Vineyard Power website.
MVRHS Job Fair:
Vineyard Power attended the job fair held at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School on April 2nd. Our organization is interested in hiring an MVRHS student who is fluent in Portuguese to assist in our outreach efforts to the Portuguese-speaking population of MV. If you know a student who might be interested in joining the Vineyard Power team as an Energy Transition Intern, please have them fill out the interest form on ACE MV’s Community Apprenticeship and Mentorship Program (CAMP!) page. The position is paid and interns may work up to 15 hours per week.
More information on the position is posted on the CAMP! page here, as well as on the Vineyard Power website under the Employment tab.
Martha's Vineyard Museum Earth Day Conservation Festival:
Vineyard Power joined in on the Earth Day festivities at the MV Museum on April 19th. Members of our team set up a booth alongside other local environmentally-minded organizations to spread the word about energy efficiency programming to Islanders in attendance. Over 250 guests attended the event, and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to visit our table and chat about energy!
MassEnergize Community Survey:
Vineyard Power worked with the nonprofit MassEnergize to develop a survey directed towards the island’s Brazilian Portuguese speaking population to help gauge communication preferences of the Brazilian community on MV. The aim of the survey was to collect data about the most effective communication channels through which Brazilian folks on MV receive news and information. This data will help optimize our methods of outreach and increase participation in energy efficiency and ratepayer assistance programming among the Brazilian population on Martha’s Vineyard.
Education Programming:
With Spring in full swing, students across the Island are itching to get outside and enjoy the Sun. What better way to do so than with a solar car race? Vineyard Power is working with middle schools across the island to provide students with education programming focussed on renewable energy, including lessons on solar and wind energy technology.
During the lesson on solar energy, students learn about different forms of energy, how they are generated, and how they are converted through different processes. Then, it is time for them to demonstrate what they have learned about energy conversion by engineering their own model solar-powered cars! Students test out their designs and make adjustments, then compete in a head-to-head race to see which car harnesses the power of the Sun the best!
The lesson on wind energy sees students work in teams to design and build their own model wind turbine. After an introductory lesson on offshore wind energy production and the history of windmill technology, the students are given a chance to test out their own blade designs, with the goal of designing a fan-powered wind turbine capable of lifting a weight off the ground.
Reach out to hollis@vineyardpower.org if you are interested in booking a program for your class or group!
Data Loggers
Vineyard Power gifted to West Tisbury and Oak Bluffs use of data logging software to collect electrical load data for the West Tisbury Public Library and Oak Bluffs Town Hall. The data collected will help inform the towns and Vineyard Power of the power demands of these facilities, and ultimately help battery storage sizing to improve facility resilience.
Summer Interns
As with every summer for the past twelve years, Vineyard Power is participating in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Clean Energy Internship Program to host summer interns. Lily and Tristan will start in June, and will be out and about in the community helping spread information and assisting with enrollment into Mass Save and other energy efficiency and ratepayer assistance programs. Come out and meet them!
Tristan Scott, born and raised on the island, is joining us as a rising senior at the University of Colorado Boulder. We can’t wait for him to start!
Lily Ornstein, from Connecticut, will enter her senior year this fall at Boston College. We’re excited for her to join us!
Upcoming Events
West Tisbury Cronig’s Market Tabling
May 20th from 12:00-2:00pm
Vineyard Haven Cronig’s Market Tabling
May 23rd from 12:00-2:00pm
West Tisbury Library Tabling
May 27th from 3:30-4:45pm
What we’re keeping an eye on…
BOSTON (Mass.gov) — The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued an order today for the 2025-2027 Three‑Year Energy Efficiency Plan proposed by the state’s electric and gas distribution companies and the Cape Light Compact, who serve as the Program Administrators of Mass Save. The DPU has approved recommended enhancements of Mass Save, the nation-leading energy efficiency program available to residents and businesses operating in the state. To protect ratepayers from excessive bill impacts, the DPU also ordered a reduction of the total three-year budget by $500 million.
Massachusetts (NEPM.org) — Massachusetts hit a solar milestone on April 20th, but can the grid handle the heat? Statehouse News Service Deputy Editor Colin Young sat down with New England Public Media reporter Carrie Healey to discuss what operators of the ISO-New England grid refer to as "duck curve days" and the effects of solar on daily electricity use in the state.
Click here to read or listen to Young and Healey's discussion on the rise of solar energy production in Massachusetts, and how it necessitates improved grid capabilities.
Massachusetts (Commonwealth Beacon) — As the effects of climate change mount and support from the federal government dwindles, Massachusetts communities are finding creative and impactful ways to continue promoting the State’s climate goals. From the building of net-zero elementary schools in Watertown, to the conversion of the municipal vehicle fleet to electric in Newton, to the development of an energy efficient fire station with on site solar capabilities in Williamstown, communities across the state are focussing on bolstering their renewable energy portfolios.
Vineyard Power is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization capable of receiving charitable donations. We rely on support from folks like you to advance renewable energy, energy efficiency, and equity in our island community. Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation today!
Sincerely,
The Vineyard Power Team