Wind turbine eyed for school
Funds sought for $45,000 study
The Brackett School's computers, overhead projectors, and classroom lights soon could be wind-powered. A plan to build an energy-producing turbine near the school has started to gain momentum.
Last month, Sustainable Arlington, a subcommittee of the town's Vision 2020 Environment Task Group, persuaded the School Committee to apply for a grant that would pay the lion's share of a $45,000 yearlong feasibility study.
The step toward wind energy puts Arlington in the company of a half- dozen other cities, towns, and schools across the state that are working toward building wind turbines to offset the rising costs of electricity.
Because the project is in its beginning stages, officials have not sought input from neighbors. The location of the turbine is not known either.
``Right now, there are more questions than answers," said Superintendent of Schools Nate Levenson. ``A feasibility study will help us answer some of those questions. This School Committee is a very open-minded group, but no one is guessing at the outcome before the study and research are complete."
Members of Sustainable Arlington and school officials say the Brackett School turbine would be nowhere near the size of the windmills in Hull or Dorchester. While the turbines in those communities power streetlights and traffic signals, the Arlington turbine would be big enough to power only the electricity needs of the Brackett.
Neighbors, like Gordon Jamieson, a Precinct 12 Town Meeting member, said the town should be cautious about the project. Noise levels, the height of the structure, and the impact on Robbins Farm, a park across the street from the Brackett School, are all areas of concern, neighbors said.
``It's great to look at renewable energy, but let's consider all the options," said Jamieson, noting that solar panels on Arlington High School may be more effective than a wind turbine at Brackett.
Jeff Thielman, a School Committee member who lives near the school, said that although he has reservations about the project, his board has a duty to investigate the possibility of energy alternatives.
``I think it would be irresponsible, given the current energy crisis in this country, if we did not look at the alternatives," Thielman said. ``We need to know if there is enough wind up there, and we need to know if it's cost-effective."
Maria Simoneau, a member of Sustainable Arlington, said that even though the Arlington turbine would be small, its impact would be great. Eliminating an electric bill from the Brackett would lessen a growing burden on Arlington taxpayers, she said.
Brackett is a small brick school atop a steep hill in Arlington Heights. Sustainable Arlington conducted a townwide search for locations last year and found the hilltop site of the Brackett to be one of the few places in town where wind power would be viable, Simoneau said.
``People are, and will continue to be, very concerned about energy. In Massachusetts, we are completely reliant to have all power delivered to us.
``This is a project that could pay for itself in four years. In that time, there is no telling how much the cost of energy could rise."
Chris Kealey, spokesman for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which administers the Renewable Energy Trust Fund from which the grants are drawn, said the Arlington public schools were among 21 applicants for feasibility studies accepted by the Aug. 17 deadline. The Renewable Energy Trust was developed by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1998 as an effort to promote clean energy -- that does not rely on fossil fuels.
The trust's Large Onsite Renewables Initiative grants will be awarded in early November. Last year, 10 recipients received grants.
If Arlington gets a $40,000 grant -- the maximum an applicant can seek for a study -- the schools and town each would contribute $2,500 to make up the remainder of the costs. If Arlington officials agree to move ahead with the construction of a turbine, the town would be eligible to apply for a grant of up to $575,000 from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. The two wind projects funded last year by the collaborative -- in East Falmouth and Gloucester -- awarded two industrial companies $575,000 each to build two 1.5-megawatt turbines.
Arlington's school district would not be the first in the region to consider renewable energy. Last year, Minuteman Regional High School in Lexington was awarded a $20,000 feasibility grant from the Technology Collaborative to investigate several renewable energy technologies, including the use of solar panels.
Levenson, Arlington's superintendent of schools, said rising energy costs have all but forced school leaders to reconsider the use of such devices.
``Schools have to be aggressive to find innovative ways to meet budget demands," he said. ``Energy is a major cost for us. It is one of the most significant costs. So, anything that we can do to reduce those costs, we have to do. There is no question about it."
In Arlington's fiscal 2007 school budget, $1.6 million was allocated for utilities, a $345,000 increase in oil and natural gas costs over the prior year.
``It's really a no-brainer," Michael Roach, president of Lexington
Roach, who consults with individuals and organizations about how to go about making the conversion to renewable energy, said he is optimistic Arlington will join the trend of municipalities moving toward renewable energy.
Roach said he has spoken to officials in Belmont and Lexington in recent years about implementing alternative energy programs. Individual homeowners in Beverly, Ipswich, Lexington, and Taunton have invested in switching their homes to renewable energy sources.
``Two years ago, only the greenest of people among us" were really considering renewable energy, he said, ``but it has gotten interesting over the last couple of years.
``Energy costs have driven more people to seek out alternatives. And with the incentives provided, the cities and towns cannot ignore the opportunities any longer."
