January 17, 2013
Massachusetts

Housing Authority will consider buying energy from Plymouth wind turbine project

January 17, 2013 | By Peggy Aulisio, Editor | The Advocate | www.southcoasttoday.com

FAIRHAVEN – The Housing Authority will consider whether to buy energy from a planned turbine project in Plymouth, board members said last week.

They received the proposal from the company they contract with, PowerOptions, a consortium that helps nonprofits combine their resources to save money on energy.

Krisanne Sheedy, executive director of the Fairhaven Housing Authority, said the consortium is suggesting a 20-year contract for a fixed price per kilowatt.

She said while they could realize savings over that 20-year period, the reverse could be true if energy costs decline below the contracted price.

Ms. Sheedy said Future Generation Wind is the developer for the turbine project in Plymouth.

“We’d pay them at a price per kilowatt and get credit off our bill,” Ms. Sheedy said.

Ms. Sheedy said the towns of Rochester and Marion have already signed up to participate.

One hitch is that the turbine project hasn’t been built yet. Ms. Sheedy said the target date is fall 2014.

“It’s a great idea that we’re approached to be part of this,” Ms. Sheedy said, adding, “It’s really kind of new.”

She said the state Department of Housing and Community Development has no guidance for something like this.

Chairman Jay Simmons suggested they table the proposal to their next meeting to give board members time to review it.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/17/housing-authority-will-consider-buying-energy-from-plymouth-wind-turbine-project/