September 13, 2014
California

Benicia considers wind-turbine study

Times-Herald staff report | Posted: 09/12/2014 | www.timesheraldonline.com

BENICIA – An energy company is seeking an agreement with the city to conduct a five-year study to determine the feasibility of installing wind turbines north of Lake Herman Road.

The proposed licensing agreement between the city and Exelon Wind, LLC, which is part of Exelon Corporation, is set to go before the City Council on Tuesday. The company, which operates 44 wind projects in 10 states, is proposing to pay the city $5,000 per year to conduct the study.

Exelon’s wind projects are located in Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon and Texas, according to the company’s website.

The deal would allow Exelon to access city-owned open space to collect meteorological and environmental data using mobile equipment about the size of a small trailer, according to the city.

It also would allow time to address if and how such a project could proceed in light of land-use restrictions – such as the city’s urban growth boundary – and concerns about turbines interfering with Travis Air Force Base radar installations, city officials say.

Under the agreement, the company would be required to provide the city with quarterly progress reports.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/09/13/benicia-considers-wind-turbine-study/