February 7, 2011
Massachusetts

Cohasset turbine plan awaits discussion, vote

GateHouse News Service, www.patriotledger.com 7 February 2011

COHASSET – The planning board will try again to consider a proposal to build a 410-foot wind turbine on Turkey Hill.

Two recent snowstorms have forced the board to call off meetings that could have led to a vote on the matter.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at town hall.

Some Hingham residents who live near the proposed turbine site voiced opposition during a hearing several weeks ago. The Trustees of Reservations organization is seeking a special permit from the planning board.

The site for the $6 million project is within a 847-acre expanse of conservation land known as Whitney and Thayer Woods.

State grants, federal tax credits and investment money, both public and private, would be used to pay for the project. The 1.8-megawatt turbine would generate tax revenue for the town.

The nonprofit Trustees of Reservations used a $45,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to study the feasibility of building a turbine on Turkey Hill. A $260,000 grant from the Clean Energy Center would be used to pay for design and construction.

The Clean Energy Center awards grants for conservation and renewable-energy projects. The money comes from a surcharge on electric bills.

The Trustees organization would like to start construction as soon as possible. It needs the planning board’s approval to proceed.

The turbine could be generating power as early as the end of the year.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/02/07/cohasset-turbine-plan-awaits-discussion-vote/