Energy panel mulls turbines on tracts bought as open space
BOURNE — Alternative energy committee members say wind turbines that would reduce the town’s electricity costs would be suitable for some open space tracts at Bournedale Road and along MacArthur Boulevard.
They say the structures likely could be built there even if certain state-mandated protections are in place for the land bought with taxpayer dollars under the old Land Bank and Community Preservation Act programs.
Member Thomas Gray Curtis Jr. has outlined protections in place for town open space, but board chairman Eugene D’Amaddio said the pressing need to cut municipal energy costs would likely trump those limitations.
Town Planner Coreen V. Moore, however, says at the very least legislative action would be needed to allow turbines on some tracts identified by the energy panel.
The committee is reviewing Curtis’s report on land available for turbines, including the upper reaches of the Four Ponds Conservation Area in Pocasset.
Open space purchases have never been challenged as to cost at Town Meeting, nor have there ever been questions raised about alternative future uses for what would become Bourne open space.
The Bourne Courier
26 September 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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