April 3, 2012
Ohio

Dover considers wind power agreement

By Joe Mizer, TimesReporter.com staff writer, www.timesreporter.com 2 April 2012

Is wind-generated electrical power in Dover’s future?

It will be if City Council approves the administration’s recommendation to enter into a purchase power agreement for electricity from the Blue Creek Wind Farm in Van Wert.

Pam Sullivan, vice president of American Municipal Power, of which Dover is a member, Monday night told council members that AMP entered into a purchase agreement with Blue Creek Wind Farm LLC on Feb. 27.

Sullivan said AMP’s contract is for 10 years, with power to begin flowing from the wind farm’s turbines into the system July 1. She said AMP is recommending that the city purchase two megawatts of electricity.

Mayor Richard Homrighausen said two megawatts of electricity would amount to about 2 percent of the city’s total needs. “But every little bit helps,” he said.

Homrighausen said if the city purchases wind-generated electricity it would further diversify the energy the city would have at its disposal … whether it be from the city’s own coal-fired Municipal Light Plant, or several other projects the city already is involved with.

“It just gives us another source that we can ensure continued operation well into the future,” Homrighausen said. The wind farm, being developed by Iberdrola Renewables LLC, is to be running within the next couple of weeks.

Sullivan told council that AMP is hoping to have member contracts signed by June 1.

When asked how Dover’s assets compare with other members, “Dover is in very good shape,” Sullivan said. “You’re controlling your future.”

The proposal remains with council’s Utility Committee, chaired by Councilman Joe Parolini.

In another matter, council approved an emergency ordinance to authorize the advertisement for bids and awarding of a contract for the Light Plant’s metal wall replacement project, phase 2. The phase consists of about 24,000 square feet of siding in an amount not to exceed $225,000, including engineering.

Council also authorized bidding and the awarding of a contract for installation of new storm sewers and the closing of a ditch on the north side of Parkview Drive, and the installations of curbs and gutters, in an amount not to exceed $225,000, including engineering.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/03/dover-considers-wind-power-agreement/