Press Releases


Wind energy forum packs the Macomber Community House

Released: February 22, 2007

About 150 wind energy-interested people packed the Macomber Community House Wednesday, Jan. 24, for the Residential Wind Energy Forum, part one of the South Coast Renewable Energy Series.

Our over-dependency on dirty and limited fossil fuels is causing global warming. Resulting water and air pollution is the cause of not only poor human health, but all life on earth. It is important to seek information regarding alternative sources of energy that are clean and renewable.

I suggest reading the book, "Creation: A Plea to Save Life on Earth," written by E.O. Wilson. Twenty five percent of all species on planet earth are threatened of extinction due to global warming. Times are a changing—we cannot ignore our impact on our environment any longer—we must do something!

The diverse audience was from Westport, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Fall River and the Cape. A dozen people raised their hands when asked if anyone drove hybrids and/or had already installed a solar panel or wind turbine.

Five panelists covered topics regarding residential wind energy. First, Steve Pitney with Alternative Energy, Inc., presented "Engineering: How Turbines Work." Tom Wineman, from Clean Energy Design, presented on "The State of Turbine Technology," and described several different machines. He said, "The most important factor with turbines is height—the first, second, and third thing people wish they could change after having already installed their turbine was to raise it higher."
Shawn Shaw of The Cadmus Group, Inc., explained, "Siting Requirements." Turbines should be placed the length of the tower's height, away from neighbor's property lines and should not be obstructed by buildings or trees.

Presenting on the "Costs and Installation" for turbines was Newell Thomas with Lighthouse Electrical Contracting. After you do research and assess your site, obtain a permit, and find a contractor (who is licensed and has a good reputation), apply for grants and make a down payment, your turbine should be installed within a few months.

John Abe with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) Renewable Energy Trust spoke about grant opportunities. "You are pretty much guaranteed to get a grant that will cover about a third of your turbine costs if you live in the South Coast area," he said. He emphasized that the best way to save energy is to do a home energy audit and replace your lights and windows with more efficient types.

Following the panelists, two local residents and turbine owners shared their experience purchasing, installing and maintaining a wind turbine. Jim McBratney of Sylvan Nursery explained the process of getting a turbine up, not portraying it to be a difficult process at all.

Arthur Larrivee, a Dartmouth resident, described his two turbines. His biggest suggestion was to "do your research" and again—height height height. He offered for people to visit his property and see his turbines anytime.

Also present were Ron DiPippo, chairman of the Dartmouth Alternative Energy Committee (AEC) and David Dionne, Westport selectman and its alternative energy committee chairman.

Mr. DiPippo explained how the Dartmouth committee had just revised a by-law that will have to go the town for approval. He expressed his concern that there is not enough wind in the area for turbines to be economical—do your research. Mr. Dionne gave a report on Westport's alternative energy achievements and encouraged people to attend the town meeting on May 1 to vote on wind power.

Audience questions of the usual concerns regarding aesthetics, bird death, and noise were not major topics. Regarding aesthetics, one slide showed a photo with a turbine placed near a power plant that said, "Really, which would you prefer to look at?"

One question regarding birds arose and a panelist replied that more birds are killed due to pollution and sliding glass doors. A diagram shown during the presentation showed noise of a turbine in decibels to be higher than a whisper, but lower than the noise that is generally produced inside one's house.

The series is being co-sponsored by the Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA), Lloyd Center for the Environment and the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL), a network of 44 partners, including public schools, non-profits and other organizations that all have environmental education in their mission.

Gay Gillespie, Director of the Westport River Watershed Alliance, opened the event and introduced Lloyd Center for the Environment Director, D'Arcy MacMahon. She then introduced me, event organizer and WRWA Outreach Coordinator and announced that I will be moving on to become coordinator of SEEAL.

I was pleased with the turnout last week. We are going to be planning a part two for wind energy, but for now have to focus on the remainder of the South Coast Renewable Energy Series. Future topics will address: biodiesel, green building and solar power—forums to be held in March and April.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Marshall, SEEAL Coordinator, at jmarshall@seeal.org or 607-351-1268 (a 508# to come soon) for panelists' contact info and/or the slide show from the event. www.seeal.org is coming soon. Also visit www.wrwa.com and www.lloydcenter.org.

Jennifer Marshall is the coordinator for the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance, SEEAL. She previously worked as outreach coordinator for the WRWA in Westport.

BY JENNIFER MARSHALL