The Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s new energy policy is going back to the drawing board after commissioners raised questions about whether its requirements are too stringent.
The 10-page policy focuses broadly on eliminating the use of fossil fuels in Island building, maximizing energy efficiency and improving Island energy resilience. While some commissioners commended the policy, others took issue with its breadth and certain aspects of its language, stalling a final vote Thursday night.
Formulated over the past year by a commission subcommittee, commissioner Ben Robinson said Thursday that the policy is meant to focus on wide-ranging environmental goalposts rather than specific requirements for developments that come before the commission for review.