July 10, 2015
Massachusetts

Gardner gets $400,000 for wind turbine study

By George Barnes, Telegram & Gazette Staff | Posted Jul. 9, 2015 | www.telegram.com

GARDNER – With two solar projects already completed, the city is seeking to further increase its renewable energy profile by adding a wind turbine.

And the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center announced Thursday the city will receive $400,000 toward building a wind turbine.

Mayor Mark P. Hawke said the money is for a study to decide if building the turbine makes sense and how it can be achieved. It would be built at the Summit Industrial Park on Summit Avenue on the east side of the city off Route 101. The city has been considering the project for several years along with other renewable energy initiatives.

Mr. Hawke said among options being considered is building a solar array near the wind tubine to add to the benefit. He said the study will determine what options will work best. He said he will also be interested in seeing whether the output of the turbine has to be reduced. He said a recent solar project was cut back in the city because of capacity issues with National Grid.

“Maybe our new substation will be able to handle more,” he said.

National Grid is replacing the substation near Greenwood Pool on Park Street with a large substation off Abbott Avenue behind Crystal Lake Cemetery.

The city would be the third public entity to build a wind turbine in Gardner. Wind turbines have also been built at Mount Wachusett Community College and North Central Correctional Institute in the city. The turbine would add to what is already a significant effort toward energy independence.

Mayor Hawke said the city was has been a green community since 2010 when the program started. He said the city also received a $72,850 green communities grant this week for storm window replacement in City Hall Annex.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/07/10/gardner-gets-400000-for-wind-turbine-study/