The Martha’s Vineyard Commission early this month unanimously approved a new policy aimed at regulating and reducing the amount of nonrenewable energy used in certain new construction projects. The new policy only affects larger construction projects that qualify for review as developments of regional impact (DRIs).

Approved by commissioners without dissent on Dec. 4, the policy is the most stringent energy policy to date on the Island and is seen as a first step in creating uniform energy standards for all new construction projects on the Vineyard. It is also seen as a way to expand on state building codes which are widely regarded as lacking in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy

The introduction to the new policy states: “The dependability of energy supplies has long been a particularly important matter to our Island community and the environmental impacts of energy use are of growing concern across the world. Having an affordable, environmentally sound, reliable and safe supply of energy is essential to the general welfare of Martha’s Vineyard.”

The new policy, among other things requires all projects under review as a DRI to be designed to exceed the current state building code by at least 20 per cent. And the commission will determine whether a project should meet the more stringent federal energy standards.

The new policy also requires projects with a total floor area greater than 6,000 square feet and residential projects of 20 units or more to meet the standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) created by the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED system rates projects according to performance criteria in five areas of human and environmental health, and requires certification after completion.

The policy also requires all nonresidential projects larger than 3,000 square feet, and residential projects of four or more units, to be certified by Energy Star, which provides a comprehensive set of energy objectives and requires project certification by a third party.

Larger projects would also require the incorporation — either now or in the future — of renewable energy sources such as solar electric panels, insulated piping and solar hot water heaters. Other recommendations call for the concentrated placement of south-facing windows, increasing the level of insulation, the installation of more efficient doors and windows, the installation of high efficiency heating and cooling systems and Energy Star-rated appliances.

Commissioners made special note of the fact that they were approving a new energy policy and not new energy regulations. If an applicant cannot exceed the building code by 20 per cent in a project, for example, she can instead incorporate renewable energy generation into the project through off-site mitigation. Applicants may also instead make a financial contribution to an Island public entity, nonprofit or affordable housing project, or purchase an equivalent value of green power credits on the Island or as close to the Vineyard as possible.

The energy policy is similar to the commission’s affordable housing policy, which recommends that a developer provide affordable housing but allows for different ways to satisfy the objectives of the policy.

The energy policy was drafted over the past two years by a special energy subcommittee chaired by commissioner Peter Cabana that included commissioners Paul Strauss, Richard Toole, Susan Shea, and West Tisbury architect Kate Warner. Bill Veno, the senior planner for the commission, also worked closely with the committee.

Mr. Cabana last week said the new energy policy mirrors changes expected to occur with the state building code. He said the new policy will likely add to the initial cost of building projects, although the higher standards will result in long-term energy savings.

“And we’re not talking about five or ten years, it’s more a matter of months. Meeting these new standards provides an almost instant return on the initial investment. Not to mention the benefits to the environment,” he said.

At the meeting earlier this month, some commissioners expressed concern that the energy policy had not been vetted with the public, especially in the construction industry.

“I don’t think we’ve been too effective at shopping this around,” commissioner Mimi Davisson said. “This could be adopted in early June and I don’t think we lose too much . . . I am sure there are contractors out there who are not in the choir, and we need to hear from them.”

Commissioner Chris Murphy agreed.

“We get to do this once and I think it should be done right. I think we should distribute this to builders and architects to see if we can make it better,” he said.

But commissioner Richard Toole said there was a pressing need to make the change.

“I’m not saying this is the perfect document. But let’s not forget we’re talking about asking for energy efficient buildings that benefit everyone. I can’t believe the negativity in this group. If we think about this enough we can come up with one million reasons not to do this. But those would be short-sighted reasons,” he said.

Commissioner John Breckenridge said the policy can be changed in the future to address any issues that may arise, and commissioner Linda Sibley agreed. “This is policy. Not rigid regulations. And it’s also two-years in the making,” she said.

Despite the debate, the final vote to approve the policy was unanimous. James Athearn, Doug Sederholm, Mr. Cabana, Mr. Breckenridge, Ms. Davission, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Toole, Andrew Woodruff, Martin Crane, Christina Brown, Carlene Gatting, Katherine Newman and Ned Orleans all voted in the affirmative.