Looking to reduce energy costs and “green” up the community, Norwell, Mass. is considering placing wind-powered turbines right in town.
A committee is preparing to submit an application with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, requesting an assessment of six to seven city-owned sites the panel has identified as possible turbine locations
“I think it’s very exciting,” said Tricia Lederer, the committee’s chairwoman. “It’s important for the town of Norwell to look into this for the cost savings, but also because we need to be looking at more renewable energy in this country.”
Norwell joins a growing list of cities and towns that are taking an interest in locating wind turbines and generating wind power on municipal land.
“I think it’s a combination of increased environmental awareness, and concerns about climate change, as well as concerns about the rising costs of electricity,” said Chris Clark, senior project manager for the collaborative. The quasi-public agency administers the state’s Renewable Energy Trust, a fund generated through a surcharge on utility bills to promote renewable energy in Massachusetts.
The collaborative has already completed 47 municipal wind site surveys in the state, including in Cohasset, Hanover, Kingston, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Plymouth, Quincy, Scituate, and a joint survey done for Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester of a Rochester site. Three other surveys are underway
image credit: Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Codeczero.
A good move on the part of Norwell. Hopefully we can see more municipal wind capacity developed elsewhere around the country. It seems Massachusetts is the place to be. Interestingly, the of Hull was also a Massachusetts groundbreaker in wind technology:
http://www.brightfuture.us/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=27
I agree with you, Tim. Massachusetts definitely has wind power on its agenda. I like the municipal approach because it has the potential to recreate the energy infrastructure starting at local levels, which is where a real network of change begins.