Aquinnah gave up on an energy district of critical planning concern which gave the town the ability to pass its own municipal energy regulations when the Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted to rescind the special status last Thursday.

A moratorium on building which accompanied the energy district is now lifted.

Meanwhile, selectman Camille Rose told the commission last week that work on the pioneering energy bylaw can continue under the auspices of the townwide district

“[The bylaw] is still alive,” said Ms. Rose, who last October submitted the application to the commission which led to the energy district. She added that permit issues need to be taken care of.

The energy district was the first of its kind on the Island, and preceded the drafting of special townwide regulations for Aquinnah to promote alternative energy in new construction and establish guidelines for the placement of both backyard and municipal wind turbines.

The regulations were voted down at two town meetings and indefinitely postponed at a third by voters who felt the rules were confusing and lacked the proper resident participation.

According to selectman and board chairman Jim Newman, who also attended the meeting of the MVC, there is no permitting backlog as a result of the moratorium. He said that two permits, for a swimming pool and an extension were granted before the moratorium with the caveat that work would not begin until it was lifted. However he said no one has come into to request a permit during the moratorium.

Although he had initially supported it, Mr. Newman opposed the energy district designation in October, arguing for more time and public comment on the issue. He said yesterday that losing the energy district should not affect the project.

“In the end I think we should go back to the commission, because it would give it more enforcement power, but first we have to pass the regulations locally,” he said.

Last month Mr. Newman announced the formation of an informal group to look at reworking the bylaw — focusing on making the language clearer. Speaking yesterday he said that no progress has been made so far.

“We’re in the process of getting together and reaching out to more people,” he said.

Commission chairman Douglas Sederholm said Aquinnah’s pioneering work in attempting to implement local control on energy production using the district of critical planning concern will serve as a benchmark for the Island.

“I’m appreciative of the effort of those involved,” he said, “those addressing the issue in other towns can build on your work.”

If Aquinnah wants to reinstate the energy district within the next twelve months, commission approval would require a two-thirds vote rather than the standard majority vote. However, said a supportive Mr. Sederholm, the odds should not deter the town from attempting to move forward on the issue.

“If you find yourself ready to come to us within twelve months, don’t be bashful,” he said.