Vineyard Power Development Fund

Established Energy Transition Program The Energy Transition Program is a community-driven effort to help our island achieve its renewable energy goals through direct engagement with residents, businesses, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), municipalities, and environmental justice communities in the transition to a renewable energy future. The program confronts the climate crisis across five main areas of focus: renewable energy generation, strategic electrification, energy efficiency, resiliency, and equity. VPDF hired an Energy Transition Coordinator under this programmatic effort to support community outreach, engagement, education, technology, and partnership development. VPDF also established a network of Energy Coaches to support island residents in the transition to a renewable energy future through in-kind one-on-one educational consultations, and developed a new website that serves as a resource for residents and business to engage in the energy transition. Finally, VPDF applied successfully to become a Community First Partner (CFP) with Mass Save. VPDF, in its role as a CFP, anticipates that it will increase overall participation in Mass Save Energy Efficiency programs by increasing island-based capacity to perform Home Energy Assessments from 600 assessments/year to an estimated 1000+ assessments/year and increasing island-based capacity to conduct weatherization and HVAC work by recruiting local contractors. Successfully Assumed Responsibilities Under Community Benefits Agreements with Vineyard Wind and Park City Wind VPDF was assigned the responsibilities outlined in Community Benefits Agreements with Vineyard Wind 1 LLC and Park City Wind LLC to conduct education, outreach, and communication in support of offshore wind development in two offshore wind areas, under the conditions that the benefits of such projects remain in the island community. VPDF anticipates that our charitable work under the Community Benefits Agreements will result in over 50 year-round jobs in renewables to the island, secure approximately $50 million in infrastructure investments, and garner an estimated $22 million in direct investments for the island community to advance renewable energy development & education, resiliency technology, and equity initiatives on the island. Received Approval for Resiliency and Affordability Project Plans As a result of its Community Benefit Agreement with Vineyard Wind, VPDF is the managing entity responsible for the implementation of the Resiliency and Affordability Program (RAP) on Martha's Vineyard. The RAP is a $7.5 million commitment to the island over 15 years designed to increase renewable resiliency technology in the form of solar & battery storage projects at critical government, nonprofit, and tribal facilities, and to deliver electricity bill savings to the island's income eligible ratepayers. VPDF received approval for its Project Plans, which featured an effective and efficient mechanism to donate funds to income eligible ratepayers on Martha's Vineyard and outlined VPDF's approach to donate monies to towns for resiliency projects.