White River Junction -- Matt Dunne, Democratic candidate for Governor, today released his

renewable energy siting policy. Renewable energy siting has been an issue of deep concern
throughout this campaign. It consistently comes up at forums, in interviews and on the
campaign trail across the state.
As I travel across Vermont, Ive heard concerns about the siting of renewable energy
projects. Many times, these projects have created unfortunate division within our state, said
Matt Dunne, Democratic Candidate for Governor. We must battle climate change and
continue down the path to 90% renewable energy by 2015. We need to do our part to show
the country what is possible. But we must do this in a Vermont way.
As governor, Matts policy on energy siting will be:
Large-scale ridgeline wind projects should only take place with the approval of the
towns where the projects are located. As governor, I will ensure that no means no.
Towns should be voting by Australian ballot, and if a town says no to a large
industrial wind project I would use all the power of the Governors office to ensure
that is the end of the project.
Vermonts renewable energy future is largely in solar and small-scale hydro. Solar
does not have the adverse environmental impact of wind and it can be sited in a
way that accommodates community concerns.
We should create incentives for microgrid development and renewable energy
projects that are placed within a microgrid territory. This will allow for much more
efficient distribution and help for local consumption of local energy.
Matt Dunne has consistently shown that he listens to Vermonters, said Peter Galbraith,
Democratic candidate for Governor. Matt understands the anguish that large-scale wind
projects cause many Vermont communities. His statement today is a big step in the direction
of a renewable energy policies that serve the interests of Vermonters, and not the
corporations.
While I wont close the door to new wind projects, large-scale wind projects are not right for
all parts of the state. Unless supported by the local community, it is difficult to justify the
divisions and controversy they create, said Dunne. We also all have to recognize that largescale wind projects do have impacts on the ecology of places where they are built,
something we must weigh when considering development.
For more information about Matts proposals for protecting our environment and securing our
energy future, please visit: http://www.mattdunne.com/energy-environment/

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Paid for by Matt Dunne for Vermont
PO Box 1134
White River Jct., VT 05001