Wind for energy in Auburn

There's been a push recently for sources of energy which are renewable, low carbon impact and pollution as well as fossil free for the political impacts. Oil dependence costs us around $781B according to this article from RMI founder Amory Lovins. Around New England wind is one of the potential sources of this type of power. It's clean, and so long as you are high enough near a wind source, will run virtually all the time all year. Solar is also possible although we're a bit susceptible to seasonal cloudiness and lack of light during winter.

In some areas like this one mentioned in Austria, there are 1000s of turbines providing large portions of the energy needs of towns.

Holy Name has recently announced a project which will use wind power. The turbine will be 600kW for which they received a $575,000 grant.

Think of the potential of say the old landfill (the land for which the town owns) or up on Packachoag or AHS, considering the $75K electric bills they've been getting.

There are also systems that average homeowners can use which are becoming more and more affordable.

The one issue that might affect a homeowner as far as bylaws is you need a tower. Well according to our bylaws we've got a very open policy on wind. So long as the tower is short enough to fall within the confines of your property it is allowed under special permit by the Board of Appeals. Special permits by nature allow the activity so long as the conditions are met, unlike variances which require you to demonstrate a hardship of some kind (the onus is on you to prove something).

The conditions set forth by the bylaw 3.9.4.1 are that the tower has enough setback from the lot lines, presumably so that if it falls it doesn't cross over to your neighbors property. The tower for Holy Name stands at over 260 feet. This is a large unit but there are many that are smaller and more affordable ones which can provide 4 10 or 20 kW. By law National Grid has to buy back your excess power so the systems can literally pay for themselves over time.

Here are a couple of businesses who specialize in the area right here in our town:

http://www.cnesolarstore.com/
http://www.advancedenergyconcepts.com/