December 15, 2015
California

Benicia City Council to discuss wind turbines

By Irma Widjojo, Vallejo Times-Herald | Posted: 12/14/15 | www.timesheraldonline.com

Benicia >> The City Council on Tuesday is set to discuss the request for proposal for a wind energy project in Benicia.

The request asks bidders for evaluations on building wind turbines at the Water Treatment Plant, and to explore other possible locations for the project.

In February 2009, a consultant evaluated the feasibility of a project in a city-owned 35 acre parcel at 100 Water Way, where the Water Treatment Plant is located. The 250 kilowatt project was proposed to offset 37 percent of the plant’s energy use. Rather than a wind powered turbine, Benicia subsequently invested in a photovoltaic system that supplies approximately 80 percent of the plant’s energy needs, according to the staff report.

The remaining energy could be generated by a smaller wind turbine, though the city is unsure about the project’s financial feasibility.

Since 2009, another company undertook some initial evaluation of the site and suggested that two 1.5 megawatt wind turbines were feasible options at the plant, staff said.

The city is also interested in finding out if a wind energy generation facility could generate power that would be sold back to the grid.

Bidders are also requested to submit a comprehensive public outreach plan as part of the process.

The council will also receive a financial report on the results of joining Marin Clean Energy, a community choice energy program that offers renewable energy to its customers, between June and November. Also included in the report is an overview performance since the installation of 10 solar panels in the city in 2010.

In other business, as requested by Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, the council is set to review draft work plans on possibly amending the city’s municipal code regarding Large Family Day Care regulations. One of the changes considered is reducing the notification requirement from 500 feet to 100 feet.

The council is set to meet at 7 p.m., after a 6 p.m. closed session, Tuesday at City Hall, 250 E. L St. Agendas and staff reports can be found at benicia.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/meetresults.aspx.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/12/15/benicia-city-council-to-discuss-wind-turbines/