Wind Farm Tours Offered09:13AM / Thursday, August 30, 2007
SEARSBURG, Vt. - Free tours will be offered at Green Mountain Power Corp.’s renewable energy wind facility in Searsburg, Vt., on Saturday, Sept. 8.The Center for Ecological Technology, based in Pittstfield, Mass., coordinates the tours, which start at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Berkshire Renewable Energy Collaborative sponsors the tours.
The wind farm, located on Searsburg Mountain, was the one of the first commercial-scale wind power facilities constructed in the Northeast. Since 1997, eleven 550-kilowatt wind turbines have been producing electricity. Tour guides from Vermont Environmental Research Associates will cover topics ranging from the selection of the site, public acceptance, how the technology works, wildlife protection and the potential for wind power in this region.
“This is a unique opportunity to visit a wind farm that produces as much as 14 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually. Seeing the turbines up close gives visitors a chance to better understand this clean, local form of energy production,” said Nancy Nylen, associate director of CET and coordinator of BREC. “The tours also give residents from communities that are considering wind power a chance to see firsthand what’s involved.”
Tour guides will cover issues that may affect the energy future of the Berkshires and participants will be able to ask questions. The Searsburg wind facility is only open for tours on a limited basis between July and October because it includes a protected black bear habitat.
Additional tours are planned for Wednesday, Sept. 19, Wednesday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 13.
Space is limited to 20 individuals per tour. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by contacting CET at 413-445-4556 Ext. 25 or at cynthiag@cetonline.org. Directions to the site will be provided.
BREC is an ad hoc committee comprised of individuals representing educational, environmental, community and business interests. For more than they years, they have been working to promote energy conservation and increase the availability of renewable energy in the region. CET coordinates the activities of the BREC.
Support for this event comes from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. CET is an equal-opportunity service provider and is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. |
