100% Renewable Initiative
In October 2020 the Town of West Tisbury Passed a Resolution to
Reach the Goal of 100% Renewable Energy By 2040
As a West Tisbury resident, we need your help to meet this goal and, in so doing, address the climate crisis. If you can participate now-- great! If not, please keep these ideas in mind; there will be increasing opportunities to participate as time passes and markets evolve.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Buildings
The Vision: All town buildings, homes and businesses transition to electricity for all energy needs: from renewable sources.
- Make your house as efficient as possible.
- Start by getting an energy audit from the Cape Light Compact and then follow their recommendations, using their incentives and rebates to:
- Improve insulation and reduce drafts
- Switch to cold-climate air source heat pumps to heat, cool and dehumidify your building. For more information, see this MA Clean Energy Center booklet.
- Switch to a hybrid electric water heater to efficiently heat your water
- Residential rebates available from MassSave
- Start by getting an energy audit from the Cape Light Compact and then follow their recommendations, using their incentives and rebates to:
- Get your electricity from a renewable source
- Switch your supplier to Cape Light Compact Local Green
- Put solar on your building
- Join Vineyard Power's Cooperative to be part of future community solar projects and to support offshore wind
Transportation
The Vision: People move about the Town and island as efficiently as possible. All our vehicles are powered by electricity, we have ample EV charging stations for our visitors and we have a safe bike and walking path network all around the Town.
- Go electric for your next car or truck or at least transition to a hybrid vehicle
- Avoid idling your vehicle
- Save on personal vehicle miles by combining trips or taking the VTA bus
- Walk or bike where you can
- When presented, support funding initiatives for municipal and regional EV transition
Local Ecosystem
The Vision: West Tisbury landscapes are responsive to climate changes and help recapture carbon from the atmosphere.
- Reduce the size of your lawn, maintain it as chemical free and drought-resistant
- Shift away from fossil-fueled lawn equipment (many electric options are available)
- Plant more trees, native species and drought-resistant species
- Choose porous, planted surfaces over paved areas where possible
- Use regenerative gardening practices
- Use regenerative farming practices
Waste
The Vision: West Tisbury greatly reduces the amount of waste we ship off-island.
- Keep recycling! But recycling is no longer as effective so consider ways to reduce:
- the amount of plastic materials that you buy
- consumption of materials in general- refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle in that order
- Compost your leaves and food waste at your property or take them to our local Drop-Off to be composted by Island Grown Initiative
~We thank you for your help with this effort. The West Tisbury Energy Committee~