I appreciate your editorial comments about the pot factory (definitely not a farm!) in Bernardston. Let me begin with a clarification before I get labeled: I am not opposed to legalization (with smart regulation), retail, or personal use.
However, the legalization of marijuana has raised many issues for towns; one drawback has received less attention: The indoor growing facilities are energy hogs. Growing facilities use large amounts of power, enough to significantly offset the progress that many western Massachusetts towns have made in terms of a shift to green energy.
According to The National Conference of State Legislators “….a 2012 report on the carbon footprint of indoor production found that cannabis production makes up 1 percent of national electricity use, and in California…. that number rises to 3 percent.”
Yes, 2012 was a while ago, but newer analyses have shown that 4 percent of the energy used by the city of Denver is for “big pot” facilities. Although more efficient lights and climate control are in use, we as a society could demand more. My hope is that as towns “emerge” from their moratoria, they are seriously considering requirements that at least a good portion of the energy for the facility come from green energy either on-site or off. Otherwise we risk undoing much good work toward emissions control, reducing fossil fuel demand, and energy independence…to get high.
Andrew Vernon
Northfield