The Martha’s Vineyard Commission submitted extensive comments about the Commonwealth’s draft Ocean Management Plan. It emphasized the importance of respecting the distinct character and environment of Martha's Vineyard, and outlined a series of concerns:

1. The almost exclusive focus on state waters;
2. The methodology for selecting the two sites in Dukes County for commercial wind farms;
3. The lack of consideration of scenic values, so important for the Vineyard
4. The very narrow consideration of avian resources;
5. The importance of a strong local and regional role in decision making;
6. The need for direct benefits from potential projects going to affected communities. The wind farm off Cuttyhunk would be highly visible from the Gay Head Cliffs, a United States National Natural Site For a full copy, go to

http://www.mvcommission.org/doc.php/
Ocean%20Plan%20-%20MVC%20Comments%20on%20Draft.pdf?id=2442

The Island Plan Steering Committee will be working on the final revisions to the Island Plan over the next few weeks, responding to comments received about the draft Plan released this summer. Members will also complete a last round of meetings with Boards of Selectmen and Planning Boards. Then, the document will go into final production, for release early next year. It’s not too late to submit your comments, but you have to do it before the end of October. The easiest way is to go to theIsland Plan website where you can give general comments or make specific suggestions on each topic. You can also send comments by email, regular mail, drop by the MVC offices, or call MVC staff or Steering Committee members.

Information:
Mark London
london@mvcommission.org
www.islandplan.org

WASHINGTON — The Energy Department has concluded in an internal audit that it does not properly track whether manufacturers that give their appliances an Energy Star label have met the required specifications for energy efficiency.

Some manufacturers could therefore be putting the stickers on unqualified products, according to the audit, by the Energy Department’s inspector general, Gregory H. Friedman.

The Energy Star program, jointly managed by the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, has benefited from a renewed emphasis by the Obama administration, as a mechanism for reducing the waste of energy and curbing resulting greenhouse gas emissions. Under the federal stimulus bill, $300 million will go to rebates for consumers who buy Energy Star products.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/
business/energy-environment/19star.html