Duxbury Alternative Energy Committee to focus instead on solar projects, pulls wind study from warrant  

Credit:  By Kathryn Gallerani, Wicked Local Duxbury, www.wickedlocal.com 13 January 2012 ~~

DUXBURY — The Alternative Energy Committee has decided to table any pursuit of the North Hill Reservation wind turbine project and pull its article seeking funding for further studies from the Town Meeting warrant.

AEC Chairman Jim Goldenberg said the committee decided at its meeting Tuesday night to table the project and instead focus its efforts on solar options for energy savings like the town’s new 20-year agreement to purchase net-metering credits from a solar project in Acushnet.

“With multiple options, we feel good about our options, and we decided to pull the wind project and withdraw the article,” he said. “We feel confortable that we’re going to satisfy the town’s desire to pursue renewable energy.”

The decision resulted in a good night’s sleep for the first time in months for Hounds Ditch Lane resident Joanne Levesque, who has been among those fighting against the wind turbine project. She was surprised but relieved by the decision.

“I’m thrilled that they’re going to go forward with projects that are more passive in nature and less disruptive,” she said.

Goldenberg said the committee has taken an objective look at the siting of a wind turbine at North Hill Reservation, taking into account the results of a feasibility study and solar possibilities and reached its decision based on those factors, not the reaction of opponents.

“We’ve been advocating for an objective process, and we don’t believe their arguments are objective,” he said.

He said committee members did their due diligence and reached their decision based on the economic analysis of the project and do not necessarily agree with their concerns.

In a separate vote, the committee also voted to oppose the two citizen petitions on the Town Meeting warrant for zoning bylaw changes that he said would in effect kill any future wind turbine projects. Goldenberg said the zoning changes proposed would significantly impact the town’s ability to realize the energy cost savings it’s seeking.

The Planning Board held a public hearing Monday night on the two citizen petitions but did not take a position. A recommendation is anticipated at the next Planning Board meeting.