YARMOUTH – Yarmouth Officials have made it clear that are not impressed with an initial offer from Vineyard Wind, as the offshore energy company works to pursue a host agreement with the town.
Representatives of the company presented Yarmouth Selectmen with an agreement which would have Vineyard Wind pay the town $10,000 for upfront costs associated with the project as they move toward a more permanent agreement.
“This is a joke,” said Selectman Mark Forest.
“It’s insulting, quite frankly.”
According to municipal officials, any sort of agreement would require spending roughly $75,000 in staff hours, lawyers, and private consultants.
If the necessary agreements can be reached, the 800-megawatt wind farm south of Martha’s Vineyard would generate enough electricity to power 400,000 homes.
Among the concerns which have been brought up is that nitrogen loading within Lewis Bay could be exacerbated by the undersea power lines from the turbines, which the company would need to bring ashore in Yarmouth.
Town Administrator Daniel Knapik said that said that he had informed Vineyard Wind that environmental and other concerns will need to be investigated and that any proposed agreement should reflect those costs.
“I said no caps and that $75,000 is a starting point,” he said.
“Certainly what we have heard here tonight is a far cry from what we talked about.”
Unfortunately for the town, Vineyard Wind is likely to receive the necessary approvals from the state to bring their cable ashore in Yarmouth, regardless of whether or not the town signs on.
Representatives with the company have said that they plan on going back to the drawing board and coming up with an offer which is more appealing to selectmen.
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