MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – In the push for a green Vermont, how important are the aesthetics of renewable energy? State leaders say they shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether or not renewable energy projects move forward.
Vermonters can — and often do — try to halt renewable energy projects based on environmental impact, public health and safety, and aesthetics. But a group of senators want to change that.
“It feels like aesthetics is not a tangible enough reason for someone to dislike the development of renewable energy,” said Senator Becca White, D-Windsor County, the sponsor of a bill that would prevent Vermonters from blocking projects solely based on aesthetic concerns. She says lower-income communities are disproportionately selected for these projects as a result of the argument. “Essentially forces renewable energy to go into communities that might not have the financial ability to make the case that something is aesthetically not in line.”
The aesthetics debate has been around for years, delaying many projects and putting a full stop to others. Some argue that taking aesthetic concerns off the table will limit community input
“It proposes to seriously limit participation and the protection of Vermont’s aesthetic natural beauty. It’s unbelievable that we’re even having that conversation,” said Annette Smith, with the group Vermonters for a Clean Environment.
But other environmental groups say that the bill would still leave room for community discussion while putting the most important issues with renewables at the forefront. “When we are weighing many different competing factors, things like air and water quality and environmental justice and the climate crisis, rank higher on the list for us,” said Ben Edgerly Walsh with VPIRG.
To anyone worried about losing their input in the development process, Sen. White points out that Vermonters would still have grounds to protest renewable projects. “You have a lot of tools in your toolbox already. And this is just one that doesn’t feel to me to be tangible enough for us to prevent the development of renewable energy,” she said.
If approved, S. 236 would take effect in July.