Goals of the Island Energy Plan
Reduce the amount of energy required to sustain the commercial activities and lifestyles desired by the Vineyard population.

Readily available technology can make dramatic improvements in energy efficiency both cost effective and reliable. Examples include fluorescent lighting, super-insulation, high performance windows, Energy Star appliances, and high efficiency heating systems. Retrofit projects can save up to 50% of energy use.

In the oil crisis of the 1970's, President Carter asked us to put on a sweater and turn down the thermostat. That is an example of energy conservation. Today, technology advances offer us the opportunity to provide the equivalent services using smaller amounts of energy. Compact fluorescents provide the same amount of light using 1/3 the amount of energy. This is an example of energy efficiency.

Targets
Our energy reduction targets, expressed as reductions from 2005 levels, are:
Lighting energy use in 2015 50%
All electric energy use in 2015 13%

Per capita reduction in fossil fuel:
by 2015 39%
by 2030 67%
by 2050 85%
Hitting these targets will cut the Vineyard's total energy use in half by the year 2050, by greater efficiencies in transportation, heating and cooling, and electricity use.

CURRENT STATUS
Annual energy use by Martha's Vineyard in 2005, our base year, may be broken down as:
Source GBtu
Electricity 1,496 34%
Transportation 1,576 35%
Building Heat 1,054 24%
Non-GHG Energy 293 9%
Total 4,419

A GBtu is one billion British Thermal Units. For reference, the heat value of a gallon of heating oil is .00014 GBtu.
Non-greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sources include electricity from green generators, nuclear, and hydro off-Island as well as cordwood (the largest component of this category), biodiesel, wind and solar generated on-Island.
The electricity shown is all from fossil fuels. It is valued in this comparison as GBtu of fuel burned at the generating plants.
Transportation and building uses shown are all fossil fuels. Since most electricity is used in buildings, we can also say about 58% of our fossil energy use is in buildings.

OBJECTIVE 1: Reduce amount of energy used in buildings.
There are about 15,000 housing units on the Vineyard (houses, guest houses, apartments). Buildings account for 58% of the energy used on the Vineyard. Reducing building energy use will have a significant impact on our overall energy needs. Requiring higher efficiency in new construction will reduce our future energy demand and improve the energy performance of our existing housing stock as it is replaced or renovated.

Amend the energy portion of the Building Code by 2010 to improve energy performance in all new construction would be a good first step.

OBJECTIVE 2: Implement pricing structures that encourage energy efficiency.
We have seen unprecedented growth in the last few decades. The average house size has increased and more houses over 6,000 s.f. are being built. Seasonally occupied houses are using increasing amounts of energy year-round. Greater numbers of vehicles are registered on the Island. Consequently, energy price increases or supply disruptions will be of increasing significance to our economy and way of life.

Communities in California and Europe have shown that inverted pricing (the more you buy, the higher the unit price) is an effective way of changing behavior. Vachon Island in Washington State is instituting energy fees to feed a revolving loan fund for energy improvement programs.

OBJECTIVE 3: Energy Efficiency is embraced throughout the community
Changing attitudes and behavior is the most challenging part of this work. For generations, energy has been an inexpensive commodity and has been taken for granted. We need now to foster greater understanding of the energy challenge before us and the critical role that energy plays in our lives. If we are to succeed at creating an energy paradigm shift, we need to have the commitment of islanders of all ages-- essentially a mass movement.

• Emphasize the Vineyard Lighting Challenge-- every residence replaces 15 incandescent bulbs with more efficient ones-- as a simple first step in gaining commitment to island energy efficiency.
• Bring together the energy establishment (utility companies, Cape Light Compact, fuel transporters, wholesalers and retailers) to build consensus for effective strategies.