November 1, 2019
Letters, Massachusetts

Understanding Article 14 is imperative

www.capenews.net

While awaiting Mr. Suso’s expanded wind project disposition report, Town Meeting members (Falmouth taxpayers) should try and gain some context to the $2.5 million appropriation request.

Two Minnesota wind farms (Nobles Wind Farm and Palmer’s Creek Wind Farm), having comparably sized and dimensional turbines as Falmouth, submitted utility documents addressing decommissioning costs [internet available] to the requisite regulatory authorities. Projected in 2019 dollars, the cost is estimated at $410,000 to $532,000 per turbine (storage analysis not included). Costs were admittedly conservative by the project consultants, meaning that costs likely represent the high-end estimate of decommissioning.

The town’s consultant (Weston & Sampson) understandably has little expertise with wind turbine decommissioning budgets, since very few industry professionals have had hands-on experience decommissioning wind energy facilities. Yet, assuming storage costs contribute minimally to the total, how is it that the cost difference for turbine dismantling should vary so very much?

It’s an expensive question that deserves some explanation.

Mark J. Cool

Fire Tower Road

West Falmouth


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/11/01/understanding-article-14-is-imperative/