Henry Raymond
Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: Chris Santee on April 12, 2013, 01:58:32 PM
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Georgia Mt. Community Wind produces 1 million kWh in single week
Milton/Georgia, Vermont, USA ... The Georgia Mountain Community Wind farm (GMCW), which completed construction December 31, produced more than 1,000,000 kWh in a single week .
During the first week in April, the community wind farm operated at a 63.7 % capacity factor, producing enough energy to meet 17 percent of the City of Burlington's entire electricity needs.
GMCW will produce an estimated 27 million kWh annually.
The project is owned by two local business leaders and life-long Vermonters: renewable energy manufacturer and developer David Blittersdorf and Georgia Mountain Maples operator Jim Harrison/the Harrison Family.
The energy from the project in Milton and Georgia Vermont is providing approximately 8 percent of Burlington Electric Department’s (BED) energy demand through a long-term stably priced contract.
When the project was commissioned late 2012, Burlington Electric Department General Manager Barbara Grimes commented, “This project fits perfectly into BED’s sustainability goals. We are moving toward a 100 percent renewable power portfolio, and we like power close to home so that these dollars recirculate in the economy. Projects such as Georgia Mountain Community Wind are pro-environment and pro-economy.”
More information can be found at www.georgiamountainwind.com
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Ok, so how is this helping me?
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No smoke?
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That's pretty impressive for 4 towers. Wonder how many solar panels would get the same. I'm glad clear numbers are released, makes it more interesting.
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That is really cool. Good to see the numbers I agree!
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Ok, so how is this helping me?
Not sure Lena, but I don't think it does anything for us outside of the Burlington Electric Company.
All of the output of GMCW is going to Burlington Electric Department customers through a long-term stably priced power purchase agreement and is meeting the needs of more than 4,200 average Vermont households.
Maybe we need one closer? To help us with our power prices? ;D
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"how is this helping me?"
I guess the same question could be asked when ANY company/business is making a profit and YOU don't work/benefit from them
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Burlington Electric Dept isn't making a profit. They are a municipal entity, owned by the people of Burlington. You could call them a socialist utility.
The windmills don't benefit us in Fairfax directly, but the environmental benefit is shared among all of us who like to breathe and have clean water for our grandchildren. And the power that BED doesn't buy elsewhere is power that our utility might buy slightly cheaper because there is less demand for it. And any additional generation in our area is usually good because (at least over the long haul) it means fewer large-scale transmission lines. There is something to be said for having capacity in state, even if not all of it serves us here in town.
But I still get what you say, Lena. I'm on the same street as you and they seem very close. Can't help but wonder why none of the juice can come this way.
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BED is nonprofit but the employees aren't. Check out their salaries in the Burlington Annual Report.
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I have always wondered if the Fairfax dam could be retrofitted to produce more power. Hydro power must have more potential than wind. Just a thought
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I am under the impression the Fairfax Dam's power was to be used for an electric trolley to St Albans, but that project fell through and the power was shunted off to Massachusetts, much the way Georgia Mtn wind power heads to BED. It's a private deal following the money.
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...and doesn't the town of Fairfax receive property taxes on the dam? I always assumed we did but now I'm wondering...
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Enosburg has the right idea, they still own their dam and have an electric department to produce their own electricity. My bill was around 25 bucks a month when I lived there and you pay it right to the town.
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Where's our trolley?
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Interesting....Burlington gets the benefit, and we get the view....let's see what it does for our property values.
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I bet wind turbines are better for property values than cooling towers. Or coal stacks.
I don't think anyone should complain about electricity generation until they're willing to become self-sufficient and produce all the power they use, especially when the inconvenience is visual (wind, solar) and not affecting air or water quality.
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from mother earth news oct.nov.2012...value of ethanol from corn on 1 acre=1000.dollars....... value of electricity from wind turbine on one acre =300,000 dollars
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Mr T,
I don't think anyone should complain about electricity generation until they're willing to become self-sufficient and produce all the power they use, especially when the inconvenience is visual (wind, solar) and not affecting air or water quality.
A little mean spirited, don't you think? Not needed here.
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I'm sorry Nancy, I wasn't directing my comment at you and I'm sorry if that sounded like an attack. It was more of a general comment that (dare I say *most*?) people are often unwilling to change their own habits and dependencies but at the same time will complain.
People complain about the chemicals in food but continue to buy those exact same foods.
People complain about how expensive gas is but continue to drive vehicles that consume (large quantities of) it.
People complain about their government/roads/sidewalks/community but are unwilling to get involved and work toward the change they desire. Or pay higher taxes for improvements.
People complain about ALL types of electricity generation - water, wind, solar, nuclear, coal - but I bet households consume even more now than they did 20 or 40 years ago.
I'm sure I could probably go on... But the reality of it is that we, as a community/state/nation/world, *NEED* electricity but people aren't willing to cut back enough to make a difference.
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Thank you for that VERY NICE reply. I use all energy efficient bulbs if that helps! Thanks a lot......that was nice of you...I feel better.
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I'm always a little irritated by people who complain about visual issues impacting their property value. I have no sympathy for individuals who over pay for property. IF your property "value" is substantially harmed by a visual change in a surrounding area that you don't own/control, then you paid too much.
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EVEN IF the niebors are slobbs???
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Ohhhh........not you too Cedarman! I am always a little irritated by people who complain about/ to the complainers[/b][/color]. I have no sympathy for them. Be kind, be nice..... A Better way to live......spring is here! Don't you feel the kindness in the air????