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The success and visibility of the Hull wind turbine has spawned a wave of interest in additional community-scale wind development throughout the region. A combination of community-driven interest and state renewable energy fund programs designed to provide assistance is fueling these efforts.
Massachusetts Massachusetts has more proposed community-scale wind projects than any other state in New England. With feasibility studies, and in some cases capital costs, funded by the state's Renewable Energy Trust, the Department of Capital Asset Management or, in limited cases, federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs), several dozen municipalities, state facilities, and other institutions are exploring ways to reduce their electricity costs and increase their energy independence.
Bourne Recreation Authority, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Army Corps of Engineers
The Bourne Recreation Authority, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Army Corps of Engineers are considering working together on the feasibility study of a commercial scale wind turbine off Taylor's Point. The proposed site is approximately 100 feet from the academy's dock and is in non-navigable waters. The parties are still exploring the legal issues associated with their potential partnership. The group's interest in the project may also be contingent on the outcome of proposed net metering legislation currently being debated in the state legislature. City of Medford
The City of Medford held a dedication ceremony on January 29, 2009 for its newly constructed and operational Northwind 100-kW wind turbine. Eastham, Lynn, Orleans, and Fairhaven
Eastham, Lynn, Orleans, and Fairhaven have completed their respective feasibility studies, including the temporary installation of meteorological towers to measure the wind resource characteristics. Town of Eastham
In Eastham, the Board of Selectmen has appointed a committee to develop a wind bylaw. The project is on hold until the bylaw can be completed, and integrated into the remaining process. The town is considering a four-turbine installation, although the net metering portion of the pending energy bill currently may cause the town to rethink the size and location of the project. Town of Orleans
After over four years of study and deliberation, the Commissioners of the Town of Orleans Water Board decided not to proceed with a 3.3 MW wind project installation, citing insufficient financial benefits in the deal structure to justify their involvement. The town had studied project feasibility supported by funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which had also purchased two Vestas 1.65 MW V-82 turbines for the project. Several More Communities
In addition, several communities, including Brewster, Kingston, New Bedford, Plymouth, Rockport, Scituate, Wellfleet, Worcester and Yarmouth currently have technical and economic feasibility studies under way. Additional information on the communities participating in the Community Wind Collaborative is available. Town of Chester Municipal Light Plant
The Town of Chester Municipal Light Plant, which received a CREB authorization from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, is planning the installation of one or two 1.5-MW wind turbines on town-owned land. Rhode Island The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund is actively supporting customer-sited wind installations using commercial-scale technology.
Barrington
The Barrington proposed wind project was found to be infeasible and all plans for development have ceased. Bristol
Explorations of potential sites are also underway in Bristol, with the support of the Wind Power Rhode Island Project. The Project, administered through the Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy at Roger Williams University, is providing wind measurement, photo simulations, and community outreach support. Jamestown
Jamestown has received $30,000 in funding from The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund to conduct a wind power feasibility study to determine the possibility of siting between a single, 800-kW turbine and three, 2-MW turbines in town. Town of Westerly
The REDF Board also approved a wind feasibility study grant request from the Town of Westerly. University of Rhode Island's Narragansett Campus
Another installation is being actively investigated at the University of Rhode Island's Narragansett campus.
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