December 19, 2010
Nevada

Wind turbine approved for Bowers fire station

By Sue Voyles, The Reno Gazette-Journal, www.rgj.com 19 December 2010

Over the objections of a few West Washoe Valley residents, the Washoe County Commission has accepted the donation of a wind turbine to produce electrical power for the fire station at Bowers Mansion.

On behalf of the Sierra Fire Protection District, the county commission this week accepted the $135,000 donation.

To appease residents who don’t want to see wind turbines in the scenic valley, the windmill will be placed behind the fire station and away from Old U.S. 395.

Jane Countryman, a West Washoe Valley Citizens Advisory Board member and several other residents, are opposed to wind turbines springing up in the valley.

But given the location behind the station, the commission voted in favor.

“A lot of effort went into making this thing palatable,” Commissioner John Breternitz said, adding that a $4,800 annual power savings “is nothing to turn your nose up.”

A five-year warranty is on the 25-kilowatt system, and maintenance for the first year is free.

Fire district staff will be trained to take over the maintenance after that.

In exchange for the gift, Global Legacy Ventures will receive energy rebates and federal tax incentives for the project.

Planet Safe Systems will install the turbine.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/19/wind-turbine-approved-for-bowers-fire-station/