Cape Light Compact: Falmouth's Enemy or Advocate - Selectmen need an answer

The Cape Light Compact has been under assault lately. The attacks target the CLC’s founding principles to keep electricity rates competitive and funding the delivery of energy-efficiency programs.  Another component of the Compact's mission will be under review this Monday night at the Falmouth Board of Selectmen meeting.  The Compact's mission to be an effective consumer advocate will be tested.  The result will have significant implications for other 20 towns the Compact represents.

It’s no secret Falmouth has undergone wind turbine siting turbulence evolving into community-wide chaos.  Falmouth selectmen have an opportunity to pose some hard questions to the Compact’s Administrator, Ms. Maggie Downey.

The Department of Public Utilities has recently launched an investigation soliciting input from stakeholder regarding the development of wind siting guidance.  Five years of legislative challenges to siting bill proposals has now become a Patrick Administration initiative re-routed via Administration appointees.  

Obviously the Cape is one of the two state regions eyed for the initiative, given it’s wind resource.  Yet, Cape communities, besides Falmouth, are puzzled to why the DPU is taking the lead in the development of wind energy facility guidelines, as this agency does not have jurisdiction over the siting of energy generating facilities that generate less than 100 MW?  The law forbids the DPU to oversee permitting of energy facilities generating less that 100MW. 

Is this a state ploy to circumventing Local and County control over renewable energy generation projects?

It’s time County Commissioner Mary Pat Flynn and the rest of the Falmouth Selectmen ask the hard question of the Cape Light Compact.  Will the Compact advocate on behalf of it’s league of Cape Communities?  Will the Compact advocate against twenty other Cape towns becoming the next Falmouth?

The Cape Light Compact update is an opportunity for Falmouth’s Board of Selectmen to display leadership, not only for it’s own community, but for the Cape Community at large.

The resounding message needing advocacy -- “Yes, we recognizes the need for, and support further development of wind energy projects.  But the siting guidance can absolutely not invite the likes of another Falmouth Experience!  Policy, no matter good intentions, cannot undermine proven problems.  Falmouth understands this.  It’s time the Compact becomes an effective consumer advocate on this issue.  It's time they gives us “a bang for our buck”!