Welcome To The Cape & Islands Wind 
Information Network
Please send us an email at ciwininfo@gmail.com to join the Cape and Islands Wind Information Network!
HEARING ON CAPE WIND and NSTAR CONTRACT:
There will be Department of Public Utilities (DPU) hearings on NStar’s contract to purchase 27 ½% of Cape Wind’s power. Similar DPU hearings on the contract with National Grid to purchase 50% of Cape Wind’s power took place last year resulting in the National Grid contract upheld. Taken together, these two contracts will allow Cape Wind to move forward toward construction.
Please click on this link for hearing details http://www.capewind.org/news1252.htm
If planning to attend, please arrive 30 minutes EARLY as speakers will be called in the order in which they signed up. If you can come, please RSVP to the Cape Wind team at rsvpcapewind@gmail.com;
No RSVP is required in order to attend or speak at the hearings, but RSVP’s will help Cape Wind get a sense of how many supporters are likely to participate at each hearing.
If you would like to receive email alerts in the future from the coalition of organizations working together to support Cape Wind, please send an email to Sue Reid (sreid@clf.org) to sign up for “Cape Wind Alerts”.
Also, if you could forward this along to your contacts it would be greatly appreciated.
RECENT TURBINE COMMISSIONINGS:
On May 1, 2012, two 1.5MW turbines began producing power in the town of Fairhaven, MA.
On December 29, 2012, three municipal-sized turbines in the town of Kingston were commissioned.
In March 2012, two Vestas V82 1.65MW turbines began producing power at Mt. Wachusett Community College. Neighbors live within 1,500 feet. No complaints lodged.
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
State environmental officials have found unacceptable noise levels from the Falmouth 1 wind turbine in Falmouth MA. Based on the study described below and this test result, officials are considering new regulations that would require the state to better review potential noise issues before wind turbines are built in Massachusetts. To read more on this click here.
The Cape Cod Commission has ruled against the New Generation Wind project to be located on a gravel pit in Bourne. Read the letter here from the state's Secretary of the office of Energy and Environment, Richard Sullivan, cosigned by DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia, and DEP Commissioner Ken Kimmell. The letter cautions that the Commission may be overstepping its jurisdiction by presuming to deny an energy resource and questions the Committee's benefits vs needs analysis.
The December 7th New England Wind Energy Education Program's Webinar Titled: Wind Power as a Neighbor: Experience with Techniques for Mitigating Public Impacts: A NEWEEP Webinar can be viewed by clicking on the title. Hear from experts on wind's fit into neighborhoods and how changes to blade design and production curtailment avoid impacts on neighbors.
The movies from the June 28th Wind Forum, "Another Side of the Wind Story" are now available. Part 1:
Part 1 of "Another Side of the Wind Story" CIWIN Forum on wind from June 28th, 2011 from Liz Argo on Vimeo.
Go to the Movies page to view parts 2 & 3 of the wind forum.
Click Here to download the Power Point presentation from the 6/28 Wind Forum advertised in the flyer below.
Information on Assembly of Delegates and Cape Cod Commission's Minimum Performance Standards for Wind:
The Assembly of Delegates passed the Minimum Performance Standards (MPS) for wind as presented by the Cape Cod Commission in mid-April 2011. However, the Assembly asked for the threshold height to be revised upwards from the 65 foot height that was presented.
In addition to revising the threshold, the Cape Cod Commission will get to work crafting the Technical Bulletin which will give the MPS true relevancy to wind siting decisions. It is in the Technical Bulletin that the definitions and numerical thresholds will reside. A citizens task force will be assembled to assist the CCC in creating the Technical Bulletin.
BREWSTER WIND PROJECT
After a call for a vote during the Brewster Planning Board special permit review, the Board found it was evenly split on the project. With the lack of a definitive answer from the Planning Board, the Brewster Selectboard decided to ask the voters whether to continue in negotiations with the Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC) for the turbines, and placed Article 5 on the Special Town Meeting warrant. Brewster voters failed to give Article 5 the super majority vote it needed by 25 votes. This project is on hold while the feasibility of installing photovoltaics in place of the wind project is examined.
Read the Cape Cod Times Editorial from February 16th titled: "A Greener Brewster", on the two 1.8 Megawatt turbines proposed for Freeman's Way Industrial Park. To read: click here.
MOVIES MOUNTED!
INTERVIEWS with neighbors of Hull II 1.8MW turbine and neighbors of Portsmouth 1.5MW turbine. CLICK HERE
Presentation of Falmouth 1.65MW Turbine SOUND STUDIES Results. CLICK HERE
CIWIN Mission Statement:
“The Cape and Islands Wind Information Network” researches and collects science-based data and community experiences applicable to site-specific wind energy installations on Cape Cod and the Islands, communicating and sharing this information to create an educated citizenry.
Listen to the Cape Cod Sunday Journal Radio Interview recorded on 6/8/10: Cape and Islands Wind Information Network
The Cape & Islands Wind Information Network (CIWIN) is a group of residents, business owners, and civic leaders who represent the voice of the many Cape Cod and Island citizens who encourage the continued careful and considerate review of municipal and private wind installations. Hull, Massachusetts and Portsmouth, RI have added new turbines based on the success of their first turbine experience. With positive reports coming from the majority of existing local wind energy installations, CIWIN sees great potential in wind energy generation for Cape Cod and the Islands. CIWIN will encourage, support, and disseminate verifiable, accurate studies and research that reflect the success and shortcomings of existing wind energy installations across New England. With proper siting using existing setback limits, Cape Cod and the Islands can benefit from wind energy, just as have Hull and Portsmouth.
Thank you for visiting the CIWIN website!