October 3, 2006
New York
New York
Administrators in the Sodus School District are looking to the skies to save on energy costs. They’re taking part in a study on wind power.
They’d be the first district in the state to produce their own wind power if all goes as planned.
The school board voted to take part in a feasibility study on wind power. Soon a steel tower to measure wind speed will be constructed on the hill behind the school.
“We think that being responsible users of energy as well as looking at the cost of the school budget, that it’s a really good thing for the community of Sodus, and we’ll see, see what the study tells us,” says Susan Salvaggio, the Superintendent of Sodus Schools.
The 60 day study costs $50,000. A state grant is paying for half.
It’s the first district in the state the get this far with a plan to capture wind energy. “I think it would be nice to be a place that other districts can look to and say if Sodus can do something like this. Why can’t we give it a try,” says Steve Moore. He’s the Business Administrator for Sodus.
The project would cost about 1.5 million dollars. But school leaders say it would save them money in the long run.
“One of the most important things for the school district, in moving forward with the study, is our ability to manage and have some control over our long term energy costs,” says Salvaggio.
The school estimates the turbine would generate enough power to cover 75% of the district’s energy needs. They say that would stabilize costs for the next 20 to 25 years.
“Projects like this take a portion of the costs and define them for you, because the wind is free,” says Kevin Schulte. He is with the Company Sustainable Energy Developments. They are the ones who are doing the Sodus study.
The study should wrap up in about three months. Then, if the district decides to move ahead with the project, they’d have to get state approval. Also, taxpayers would have to approve the money used to pay for the turbine.
(Katrina Irwin, WROC-TV)
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/10/03/sodus-administrators-look-to-the-skies/