Clearly, as you read through this story, it is not easy to get a large-scale, renewable energy site developed. The Naval Base in Newport has many advantages:
1. Incredible coastal location with good sustained winds.
2. Owned and managed by the US Military whose mission to achieve energy independence and move quickly from fossil fuel, much of which is imported and difficult to transport across the globe.
3. They own many acres which allows them to buffet the turbines from neighbors.
Yet, their study took three years to complete, and they are still years, potentially, from seeing a single KW of power come off their shores. The reality is, very few organizations have the deep pockets, or overriding commitment, to clean energy. Most of us would have been scared off, or broke, long before teeing up the project. Unfortunately, that sad realty will keep us mired in fossil fuel production of energy for far too many years.
Take a look:
Following an Evaluation Assessment, the end result could be different areas with potentially different size wind turbines.
"...Naval Station Newport is one of the largest consumers of electricity in the state of Rhode Island, spending an average of $12 million annually. The base load electrical consumption is approximately nine megawatts and the proposed wind turbine project will potentially produce up to nine megawatts, which is 26 percent of the current annual electrical consumption. The turbine project would reportedly result in at least a $3 million in savings.
Naval Station Newport must become more self-sufficient and maximize the Navy’s ability to meet or exceed renewable power supply goals mandated in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Executive Order 13423.
The wind turbines would be constructed at some combination of 12 sites on Naval Station Newport, from Portsmouth down to Newport. Joanne Galuska, Deputy Public Works Officer of Naval Station Newport, said the end result could be a couple of different areas with potentially different size wind turbines.
“We’ve done extensive research regarding these 12 proposed sites,” Galuska said. “The space around the turbines needs to be 1.5 times its height, and the Federal Aviation Administration limits the height as well.”
The assessment, which Captain Voboril initiated, is in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. It is expected to be completed in September 2011 and the assessment will be one of the determining factors. In addition to compliance with the FAA, other criteria for placement and sizes include "efficient and cost effective construction and maintenance, no significant adverse impact on natural resources, cultural resources, protected species, human environment or socioeconomics of the region, and geotechnical requirements for structural considerations."
Residents who attended the event had several concerns, mostly because they did not want to be able to see the turbines from their homes. However, many studies will be completed that also include a Bird and Bat Biological Survey, a Noise and Shadow Flicker Study, and a Marine Mammal Observation Study.
Captain Voboril said the project has been in the works for about three years..."
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