February 15th, 2012, Montpelier, VT -The Vermont Sierra Club, with three thousand members across the state, agrees with the great majority of Vermonters: We, as a state and as a people, need to move aggressively in the direction of renewable energy reliance/production. If we are to be successful in our fight against environmental degradation and climate change, we must move in this direction as fast as possible; we support 90% renewables by 2025, with at least 25 new mega watts a year.  Furthermore, our renewable energy future must include well sited and appropriate wind power development.

    While the Vermont Sierra Club recognizes that there are legitimate issues to be debated concerning the merits of any specific wind farm project, we do not feel the “tourists-won’t- come-here-if-they-can-see-windmills” argument is one of them.  Therefore, in the interest of more accurately framing the parameters of the wind energy debate, we have asked some of our neighbors in surrounding states (NH, MA, CT, RI, NY) to express their views on this alleged issue to our Governor via email.  Thus far (starting on February 1st), the overwhelming and unmistakable message has been, “I am a tourist, and I support wind farms in Vermont.”  Well over three thousand people in surrounding states have emailed Governor Peter Shumlin in order to tell him that they and their families would be more likely to vacation in Vermont if we were to become the leader in renewable energy reliance/production, including wind.

“Wind power is a plus for the environment because it helps reduce carbon emissions, it can provide livable wage jobs, and it supports our tourist industry,” said Steve Crowley, Chairman of the Vermont Sierra Club.

    The Vermont Sierra Club has also generated hundreds of emails, from Vermonters, telling the Governor and key legislators that they too support increased renewable energy production, including wind, and want to move in the renewable direction as fast as possible.  

    David Ellenbogen, Chairman of the Political Committee of the Vermont Sierra Club contends, “Vermonters and others who enjoy our state understand that our’s is a working landscape.  The notion that tourists would reconsider visiting Vermont because of the visibility of suitably located turbines is simply unfounded.”

    While the Vermont Sierra Club supports well sited wind development, it has not taken a position, for or against, any of the specific wind projects that are underway or currently being proposed.

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*Below is the template text sent to the Governor from out-of-state:

Subject: I Am A Tourist, and I Support Wind Power!

Body: Governor Shumlin,

I am writing to show support for the bold plan to move Vermont to 90% renewable energy by 2050. I am also writing because I am not a Vermonter. Rather, I am a supporter of clean energy, and a potential Vermont tourist.

If Vermont pursues this ambitious energy plan, including an increase in wind generation, know that my desire to visit will not diminish. Rather, my family and I would be more likely to visit Vermont and support your efforts towards a greener tomorrow.

Vermont has an incredible opportunity to be a leader in renewable energy. It would be fitting for the Green Mountain State to also be known as the Green Energy State. I hope that my own home state may soon follow your lead.

Thank you, Governor Shumlin for being a leader on this issue. Please take this letter into account when deciding the appropriate role for wind power in Vermont.

*Below is the template text sent by Vermonters to the Governor and members of the VT House and Senate Energy Committee:

Subject: I Am A Vermonter, and I Support Renewable Energy Now!

Body: Governor Shumlin and Lawmakers,

As a Vermonter, please know that I support the broad outlines of the governor’s comprehensive energy plan and its stated goal of achieving at least 90% reliance on renewable energy sources by 2050. This is the kind of leadership we need if we are to combat climate change and end our national addiction to dirty coal and fossil fuels. I want to thank Governor Shumlin for his leadership on this issue.

As a voter, I also want to encourage the governor to support all efforts to transition in this direction as fast as possible. If we can achieve this goal faster I would firmly support such efforts.

Finally, by building our green energy future — including well-sited wind projects — we not only help protect our environment, but also create good green collar jobs for Vermont’s construction workers. You can count on me to stand with the governor as we create livable wage jobs for Vermonters by building a renewable energy future. Let’s keep getting tough things done!

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