Macedonian puts Cup start on the line

October 27, 2011 By

Macedonian puts Cup start on the line

Monday 24 October 2011 Robert Windmill

Premier trainer Peter moody says Macedonian will be competitive in the Melbourne Cup if he forces his way into the race with a win in the Lexus Stakes at Flemington.

The six-year-old, who finished eighth in the Caulfield Cup, is 37th in order of Melbourne Cup entry, 13 outside the field of limit of 24 but if he can win Saturday’s 2500-metre Group three event he will be exempt from the ballot.

“I am really pleased with him and I think the bigger track at Flemington is going to suit him super, as well as the 2500 metres,” moody said.

“He struggled on the turns all the way at Caulfield the other day but his closing sectionals were as good as anything in the race.”

Moody said Macedonian was a better horse than a year ago when he finished fifth in the Geelong Cup before winning the Lavazza Long Black (2800m) on Melbourne Cup Day on his way to Sandown Cup success.

He hasn’t won since but has been sparingly raced with highlights including a third in the Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March and fifth in the Sydney Cup (3200m) in April.

Macedonian has only 50.5kg in the Melbourne Cup.

He’s had five conditioning runs this campaign and finished seventh in Herbert Power Stakes and was beaten only 4-1/2 lengths in the Caulfield Cup after making a run from last.

“He’s definitely more mature now and he’s at the top of his game,” moody said.

“I am looking forward to Saturday and would dearly love to get him into the Cup field.”

The last two Lexus winners were 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking and Maluckyday, who finished second to Americain last year.

The Lexus has attracted 28 entries and 24 of them are among the 47 horses that were paid up for the Cup as second acceptors on Monday.

Caulfield Cup third placegetter Tullamore (25th in order of Cup entry), the Verminator (26th), Herbert Power Stakes placegetter Moyenne Corniche (27th) and stablemate and Saptapadi (28th) are all entered for the Lexus and are borderline to make the Melbourne Cup field.

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: , ,

Transportation Using Environment friendly Living Principles Saves Energy « 1390 The Centre

October 19, 2011 By

Transportation Using Environment friendly Living Principles Saves Energy « 1390 The Centre

It is more widespread than you think for some individuals to experience frustration with Green Living and locating high quality information. We are all acquainted with the feelings of trying to find out about a specific thing and not even being certain of what is needed. there are many men and women who publish great content online, but they are not known, and that makes it quite difficult with trusting them. We do understand those feelings very well in our own exploration on the net. the following information concerning Green Living is recognized and easily referenced.

You can help to save the natural environment by altering your transportation however it may take some work on your part. one enormous obstacle for many people is that they like driving their own cars and carpooling is not always readily available. Carpooling does decrease the pollution emitted into the air but it calls for planning and organization. the number of people that could fit into a city bus equals that of 40 vehicles. Driving a fully occupied seven passenger van cuts the pollution as much as seven times over what it would be if every person drove their individual cars. Although it takes some work, it’s evident that carpooling is a great option. Get to see buy hydroxatone

There simply is no denying about the potential of Green Living to dramatically alter some situations is incredible. No one really can adequately address all the different situations that could arise with this particular topic. so we feel this is just an excellent time to take a break and examine what has just been covered. We are highly confident about the ability of what we offer, today, to make a difference. Our last few items can really prove to be powerful considering the overall.

Although it’s actually not something that most people are willing to do on a regular basis, walking instead of driving can easily save a significant amount of emissions. one study reveals that the average driver makes more than 2000 trips each year which are less than 2 miles away from their home. if you didn’t have to carry very much, could you lower this quantity by walking or riding your bike? You could reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, emitted into the atmosphere, considerably by taking some of those trips by walking.

Any time you do drive, don’t waste fuel by leaving the car idling. Idling puts unnecessary contaminants into the atmosphere, consequently if you are sitting in traffic for more than ten minutes, turn off your car. Turn off your car if you are waiting to pick another person up. on frosty mornings, allow your car to warm up while you are driving it as an alternative to sitting parked in your driveway. At fast food places to eat, go inside to order instead of allowing your car to idle while you wait in the drive through lane. these basic changes can make plenty of difference in pollution, particularly if enough people would do them.

You can use a smaller amount of gas if you don’t increase the speed as often while you are driving. one method to accelerate less often is to utilize the cruise control. Combine this with driving at a decreased rate of speed and you will see gas savings and reduced emissions. every new car includes a maintenance schedule for a top notch reason. You can expect a better-running automobile when you maintain it properly. when your car or truck needs a tune-up or needs tires to be inflated, it will necessitate more gasoline as you drive. Similar things happen if your air filter is filthy or maybe you need an oil change. Each of these maintenance difficulties bring about increased emissions and diminished fuel efficiency. See more here miami web design

The details in this article really only represents a small fraction of all there is to know about Green Living. As usual, you can multiply your efforts when your knowledge is more comprehensive and deeper. there is just an excessive amount to cover in this short informational essay, and we transition into more deeper treatment in a minute. one thing to remember is you have to view it against your special needs, and that is why we offer it.

In the event you are in need of a new automobile, then consider buying a hybrid. they may well cost more to start with, but they will certainly save you money on maintenance and gasoline. Another big advantage is that they don’t put as much air pollution into the atmosphere. Find by far the most effective car available, if you are unable to purchase a hybrid. Alternatively, you can use your current car in the best possible way.

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: , , , ,

Bennett: Energized

October 1, 2011 By

Bennett: Energized

Friday, September 30, 2011

LAST Monday and Tuesday, Hedcor hosted this writer’s attendance to the Media Training on Energy in Makati and Ortigas. It was the most enlightening seminar that I ever attended and I am blessed.

Indeed, media is the best ally or the worst enemy. But most often, media is the worst enemy when the reporters do not bother to learn the ropes of the beat that they are covering. for this reason, many corporations take the time to hold trainings for reporters who will form the news corps to help bridge the information divide between the public and the news source. But then again, there are many more reporters out there who shoot without researching or understanding what they are writing or reporting about.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

I say, reporters must think about the effect of their report on the public before they write or report a story. They must begin to think about what they want to do to their community and what they want to do for their community each time that they write. a wrong report is devastating for the community in terms of losing the cooperation of the residents to achieve something. a wrong report is devastating to gains already made for necessary changes. the loss is the community’s, the people’s, and the country’s.

The most contentious issue is often with the dams that run the turbines of hydroelectric plants. for so long, the land issues have never been resolved even if they have been settled for the last two decades. Media has reported on the land issues but not the settlements attained to the detriment of power generation. the decades of economic good that electricity contributes to the economy has been ignored.Ambuklao and Binga dams have not been appreciated by the media for their contribution to the Luzon grid that has powered factories and industries for more than half a century. They have only been cursed as the bane to ancestral landownership even if the legitimate owners had been served. Then again, the owners of the ancestral lands should take pride because they are the boon to the power generation for industry and progress.

It is the hydroelectric technology that is the most renewable of all resources that doesn’t harm the environment for the future children. As the Aboitiz Power group also states, it is clean energy. we need more of these types of electricity generators because they are the cheapest since they do not run on imported resources and these return the water back to the river for irrigation and other purposes.

In the Cordillera, water is plentiful in many places. the construction of these hydroelectric dams will benefit their host communities with the taxes and social programs that are mandated by law. But water also needs trees and the balance must be present for a hydroelectric plant. It is perhaps only the hydroelectric plant as has been observed since Ambuklao and Binga that coexists with farmers. the flooding that it is unable to control in times of typhoons could be mitigated by extending the irrigated areas that can be benefitted by these power-generating plants. although what exists downstream is the San Roque dam, the nearest solution to avert the flooding is to extend the irrigation canals so that more farmlands can be reached by the runoff water.

There is also the geothermal energy that is created by the heat of the earth. It generates reliable power and emits almost no greenhouse gases.we have Bokod, Benguet and Kalinga that are endowed with this kind of energy but remain untapped.

Wikipedia says that when groundwater seeps below the earth’s surface near a dormant volcano, the water is heated by reservoirs of molten rock, usually at depths of up to 9,800 feet or3,000 m. Wells similar to those used to produce crude oil and natural gas are drilled to recover the water. once captured, steam and hot water are separated. the steam is cleaned and sent to the power plant. the separated water is returned to the reservoir, helping to regenerate the steam source.

Wikipedia also says that only a small group of places around the globe provides the special conditions needed to generate geothermal energy. at these locations, deep fractures in the earth’s crust allow the molten rock to surge close enough to the earth’s surface to heat water underground.

The geothermal energy benefits more than destroys natural resources. In addition to providing clean, renewable power, geothermal energy has significant environmental advantages. Geothermal emissions contain few chemical pollutants and little waste—they consist mostly of water, which is reinjected into the earth. Geothermal energy is a reliable source of power that can reduce the need for imported fuels for power generation. It’s also renewable because it is based on a practically limitless resource—natural heat within the earth.

It is said that the electricity produced by our geothermal power operations is sold to local power grids, providing clean energy to fuel the growth of some of the most rapidly expanding economies in the world.

It is a waste that many communities have not yet decided on allowing companies to explore the potential of these renewable energy plants.for now, geothermal plants being eyed are at two volcanoes Mt Labo in Camarines Norte with a potential yield capacity of up to 65 MW and Mt Isarog in Camarines Sur province with a possible capacity of up to 70 MWs, according to Wikipedia. There are 19 sites that have the potential to contribute this renewable energy to the Philippine grid.

But what is astounding is the potential of the Philippines to be a reliable source of electricity for Asia when electric power becomes a continental grid. the thought of beating the world economies in terms of providing electricity through renewable energy sources may just be what the Philippines really needs to compete and not in terms of products and services. an energized world from the Philippines, why not?

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on October 01, 2011.

Sun.Star on social media

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: , , , , ,

You Can Lower Your Electricity Bill With Constellation Energy

August 4, 2011 By

1312435858 36 You Can Lower Your Electricity Bill With Constellation Energy

Choosing a new electricity supplier and saving on your electric bill is easy. Simply watch this video to learn how. Competition for the best deal has been around for a long time, but not for electricity for your home. Today, that’s changed. Now customers in many states can comparison shop for electricity… and that’s good news for you. Many states restructured in recent years and introduced competition into the electricity marketplace, so, even though your utility still delivers your electricity they don’t necessarily sell it to you. Now you can purchase electricity from an array of competitive suppliers. and, that’s where the competition bit kicks in. these suppliers (like Constellation) can offer varying options like the length of the contract, the price, and incentives for you to sign up. You’re in control. You pick the supplier that has what you want. does choosing a new electric supplier create problems for the utility company I’ve been with all these years? Competition allows suppliers to compete with each other over the price of electricity. your utility retains sole responsibility for distribution of electricity. will this affect the reliability of my electricity supply? Reliability is still your utility’s number one priority no matter where you buy your electricity. does this mean multiple bills? You’ll still have just one bill from your utility. how can a supplier offer a better price than my utility? a utility locks in electricity commodity prices from …

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: , , ,

Wind Watch: Digby loosens rules for wind turbines

July 6, 2011 By

Credit:  by BRIAN MEDEL Yarmouth Bureau, thechronicleherald.ca 29 June 2011

DIGBY — if you live in Digby County, a wind farm could be coming to a vacant field near you.

The Municipality of the District of Digby passed a motion Monday to amend its land-use bylaw dealing with wind turbine developments.

In doing so, it paved the way for a third tier of mid-sized wind turbine developments. Mini wind farms may now sprout in fields or on vacant lots that meet the new regulations.

“The proposed amendments will introduce a new class of turbine — community scale wind turbine(s),” said municipal warden Linda Gregory at Monday’s public hearing.

After several written and oral submissions had been made, mostly urging caution, council passed the proposed amendment to their land-use bylaw allowing for community scale windmill projects.

The amendment now goes to the Department of Municipal Affairs for ministerial approval, Gregory said.

As part of the province’s efforts to promote power production from renewable resources, a community-based, feed-in program was established, a handout from the municipality said.

Participation in such programs is restricted to municipalities, First Nations, co-ops, community and non-profit groups.

The new community scale turbines will be slightly smaller than commercial types. The electricity they generate will be used by Nova Scotia Power in the region, the municipal briefing document said.

The turbines may be set up in clusters on an approved piece of land where electricity could be generated and sent off-site.

The municipality already allows property owners to erect small, personal use domestic windmills for on-site power. The community-based turbines will fall somewhere in the middle of personal- and industrial-use turbines.

“there seems to be an absence of consideration of the good neighbour policy which considers the rights of citizens who already have a property adjacent to a proposed wind turbine installation,” Shirley Langpohl of Gilberts Cove told councillors.

“We believe these citizens need to have their right to undisturbed enjoyment of their property protected,” she said.

She suggested that the written permission of all nearby landowners be required before a project starts. The bylaw amendment also allows turbines to be erected without an environmental assessment and that’s wrong, she said.

The amendment stipulates a minimum setback of twice the height of a turbine from any property boundary and a maximum noise level of 45 decibels at any property line. More than one wind turbine would be allowed on one lot.

That’s an open invitation for the creation of wind farms within communities, said Sandy Cove resident Ashraf Mahtab. He said that section of the amendment should be removed.

Warden Gregory voted against the motion. she said council should have looked at a specific or maximum number of wind turbines per property.

The amendment allows a non-profit or other qualified group to partner with a commercial wind company if the non-profit venture owns 51 per cent or more of the entity.

No non-profit group had asked Digby municipal council to consider community-scale wind farm regulations. But Scotian WindFields Inc., the developer of Digby Neck’s commercial wind park (now owned and operated by Nova Scotia Power) made a request in February.

The company sought the change because the municipality’s land-use bylaw stipulated that the energy produced by smaller type turbines be consumed on-site. But the province’s new strategy envisions smaller turbines selling power to the grid, said Dan Roscoe, Scotian WindField’s chief operating officer, on Tuesday.

“These are smaller-scale wind turbines and shouldn’t be confused with the size of turbines that are at the Digby Neck wind farm . . . the utility grade.”

He said 45 decibels is comparable to ambient noise outside on a windy day.

Scotian WindFields is affiliated with community organizations throughout the province, he said, such as Bay WindField Inc. in southwestern Nova Scotia.

A qualified group could sell its electricity to Nova Scotia Power. The provincial utility review board has created a special rate that provides a reasonable rate of return for investors in these projects, Roscoe said.

The copyright of this article is owned by the author or publisher indicated. its availability here constitutes a “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law as well as in similar “fair dealing” exceptions of the copyright laws of other nations, as part of National Wind Watch‘s nonprofit effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information. For more information, click here. Send takedown inquiries to [email protected]

1309943705 49 Wind Watch: Digby loosens rules for wind turbines

Some possibly related stories:

« Later Post • News Watch Home • Earlier Post »

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: ,

Industry flares at second solar summit

July 1, 2011 By

1309503314 69 Industry flares at second solar summit

Posted July 1, 2011 14:27:00

A solar industry executive has told a New South Wales Government-sponsored summit it has been a waste of time.

Industry members have gathered in Newcastle for the second round the Government’s Solar and Renewable Energy Summit.

The summits have been held as the Government has came under fire for its changes to the Solar Bonus Scheme, a rebate to encourage homes to install solar panels.

The scheme has been closed to new applicants and the Government was forced to back down on a retrospective cut to the tariff paid after extreme pressure from the public and members of the Coalition’s own backbench.

The Government says it could not continue with the scheme because of its prohibitive costs.

Today the summit has discussed topics including the value and price of solar energy and how to ensure a sustainable future for the industry.

The chief executive of the Australian Solar Industry Society, John Grimes, said the summit had failed to properly discuss future support or programs for the industry.

“What we’ve been dished up so far is an attack on solar and other renewables and a spirited defence of nuclear energy,” mr Grimes said.

He says 1000 businesses and 8,000 jobs are at risk and the industry may go under within the next six weeks without Government support.

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: , ,

What are the 3 connections to a car rear windscreen wiper motor?

May 26, 2011 By

1306451412 34 What are the 3 connections to a car rear windscreen wiper motor?

Is the casing always earth? will connecting 12V between casing and one of the other wires always produce movement in a working motor?
I'm trying to work out if my rear wiper motor needs replacing on my mk3 astra.
Many thanks in advance icon surprised What are the 3 connections to a car rear windscreen wiper motor? )

The 3 terminals are usually live via ignition (for wiper parking), switched live & earth. the motor casing should also be earth. Get a wiring diagram before randomly trying to connect 12v across any 2 terminals.

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: ,

What are different ways I could save energy in my home?

March 19, 2011 By

1300546219 12 What are different ways I could save energy in my home?

What are different ways I could save energy in my home? Here's what I do now to conserve energy:
-I turn the heat off before I leave the house
-I minimize the degree to which I do laundry
-My room has one energy efficient (this is the spiral one, right?) bulb
-My lights are off when I don't use them

Yet my bill is still extremely high. what else do I need to do or what else can I do that's not on the list? Cheers.

Standby energy is another easy area to save, most electronics use energy even when they are turned off. I plug my tv, dvd, and game system into a power strip with a switch, and shut them all down when not in use. Anything that has a clock, a light or charges things draws power at all times. Unplugging them can save energy. your computer is another energy hog. The more items on the screen the more power it uses, so get rid of unnecessary icons and backgrounds. Use a blank screen for a screen saver and have it switch on after a few minutes. Shut the computer down when it won't be used for a few hours and make sure the speakers and monitor are off as well. a surge suppressor with a switch can make that easier. If you have a laptop unplug it when it isn't being used, the charger will draw electricity as long as it is plugged in.

First of all don't turn your heat off when you leave the house. because then when you turn it back on it will take more energy to get your house back to its normal temperature. also if you live in an area where the temperature falls below 32 degrees and you turn your heat off, it's possible that your pipes could freeze and burst, and then your talking thousands of dollars in repairs and replacing the stuff you'll loose from water damage. And insurance usually won't cover it because you turned off the heat.

You can use less water..
Take shorter showers
If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down
Just don't use excess water whenever you can help it

If you have that items that need to be charged, example: cell phone, lap top computer, digital camera, ipod, electric shavers, or anything of that nature, don't charge them in excess. My brother does that and it irritates a lot. (Leaves his shaver plugged in all night)

If you have any motion activated lights turn it to manual mode if it has it or else get rid of them.

If you own your own home, and can afford to:
Repair leaking pipes, and faucets.
Repair cracks in walls, floors, ceilings, etc.
Invest in new energy efficient double glass windows.
New thick insulation
Energy efficient hot water heater.
Buy a top and bottom refrigerator they use less energy.
Thermostat timer.
Install ceiling fans in every room.

Use natural light. If it's not dark, and you have windows that allow enough lighting there is no need for supplementary light. buy florescent light bulbs. they produce less heat, and therefore are more energy efficient. keep lights off if you are not in the room. Replace motion sensitive exterior lights, with regular lights.

Keep your thermostat set to a moderate temperature, don't make perfectly cool, or perfectly warm, just make it tolerable. this will save a lot of energy. If the unit is not a dinosaur when you leave turn it off. If the weather allows it don't use your unit at all, instead use ceiling fans, and or box fans.

Turn off electronics that are not being used. Anything with a light, or a clock, or any type or charger is continuously pulling electricity while plugged in. To turn these items off, you must unplug them, or turn off the surge protector.

If it is brown flush it down, if it yellow let it mellow. very important words, because most of the water used in house is waste water. take shorter showers. when brushing your teeth, turn the water off during the actual brushing. when you do dishes try and scrape off as much as you can before you use water. It is best to soap the dishes in soapy water, and then scrub them in that same water, and then rinse quickly. when you do laundry do full loads of laundry, and hang dry your items. when you water the lawn avoid sprinklers, take the time to water is yourself so you save water that goes on the side walk and can target the whole yard, this also avoids over watering.

I live in Texas in a 3000 square foot home with 4 people, and we implement these things. our highest electricity bill has been 200 bucks, which was in the heart of the summer. our water bill is the same 13.50 or whatever the monthly charge is because we never go over our 3000 gallons. most homes have a meter where you can see where you are. Out gas bill have never been more than 20 dollars, and we use a gas stove. we do have to make sacrifices when it comes to the air, but its saves our pocket book, and our planet.

Anything that has a clock (a microwave or a stove) or uses a remote control (tv and stereo) is basically always on, even when you're not using it. you can put the tv and stereo on a power strip and turn it off when you're not using them, that saves a little. Actually, they say that basically anything that you leave plugged in sucks a little energy, so maybe the better solution is to unplug when you're not using things.

During the warmer months, you can hang laundry out to dry.

Turning the heat off when you leave the house may be costing you more, because when you come home the furnace has to work extra hard to warm the house back up. It might be a better idea to just turn the thermostat down a couple degrees while you're gone during the day. If you're going to be gone for a few days, turn it down a couple degrees more.

Make sure appliances are running well. Clean the coils on the refrigerator regularly, and maintain other appliances so they run at peak efficiency. Maintain your water heater properly. Replace or clean the filter on your furnace regularly. Install extra insulation in the attic. Make sure doors and windows have good weather stripping and aren't drafty.

Are you in a home, or are you renting a room? It may be that, if you're a renter, the bill is just split up into equal portions, no matter who is being an energy hog. If that is the case, you might want to look into it further and talk with your landlord.

Good luck!

I save $50 a month by not using my dryer . I use a drying rack with a fan blowing on it. I do put the dark clothes in the dryer on air to get the lint off then on to the drying rack. I couldn't believe the savings! I wash for 4 people so the laundry really piles up. I also wash everything in cold water.

You need to figure out where your energy use is high.

Start taking daily readings of your electricity meter and take note of whether consumption fluctuates day-to-day or stays the same. If it spikes on certain days, think about what you did that day (or whether, if you heat with electricity, it was a particularly cold day). perhaps you'll discover a big energy hog.

Buy yourself a kill a Watt meter and start measuring the energy use of all your appliances. you might discover one (such as an old refrigerator) that is using way more electricity than it should.

Your spiral light bulb is a compact fluorescent, and yes, it is energy efficient.

My hunch is that you are heating with electricity – that's the biggest source of electrical use in winter for homes that do heat with electricity. or you are heating your hot water with electricity – in which case you can save by (A) lowering the temperature setting on your heater from the factory default setting (usually 140F) to 120F, and (B) wrapping the hot water heater in a hot water heater insulation blanket.

Here's an article on how to save on heating costs (linked):

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: ,

Solar panel installation begins – NorthJersey.com

March 3, 2011 By

1299191416 80 Solar panel installation begins NorthJersey.com

The initial installation of solar panels has begun in Bergen County – part of a massive, area-wide Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) program launched last month.

Paramus residents have called officials in the borough about the panels, Mayor Richard LaBarbiera announced at a Feb. 22 council meeting.

“I’ve been getting a lot of calls in regards to these panels that have appeared on several utility poles throughout the community,” he said.

Regardless of whether the borough’s residents approve of the solar panels’ appearance, the utility poles are the property of PSE&G and the borough does not have legal grounds to prevent their installation, according to LaBarbiera.

In an e-mail, PSE&G spokesman Fran Sullivan said that panels are being installed at a minimum height of 15 feet if they are above a roadway, a little lower if not. He said there is no danger of panels being damaged by electricity.

“They are installed by trained IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) electric linemen,” he said, adding that at the typical 15-foot elevation, the panels are clear of electric circuits that run at the tops of the poles.

He said the panels installed around the state will provide 40 megawatts of solar power, which will tie directly into the PSE&G power grid for the benefit of all PSE&G electric customers.

In a press release issued in January, PSE&G announced that it began installing more than 100,000 pole-attached solar energy units in its service territory, in New Jersey’s six largest cities and approximately 300 rural and suburban communities.

The release included a quote from Al Matos, vice president for renewables and energy solutions for PSE&G, stating “the solar panels bring the benefit of clean, renewable energy to all our customers, and the electricity generated from them helps us combat climate change. the units are being installed in a safe, reliable manner consistent with our normal practices.”

In July 2009, PSE&G received regulatory approval from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to invest $515 million in solar projects. In addition to the 40-megawatt pole-attached segment, a second segment will provide centralized solar, with PSE&G developing solar gardens and roof-top installations on facilities it owns and also at third party-owned sites. the utility expects to complete the installations by the end of 2013.

Additional reporting by Michael Sedon and Bryan Wassel.

E-mail: [email protected]

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: , , , ,

Roanoke County considers small wind system regulations

February 2, 2011 By

1296623413 69 Roanoke County considers small wind system regulations

The Roanoke County planning Commission is set to host a public meeting Tuesday night to discuss regulations for people interested in building small wind turbines on their property.  These systems could be from 15 to 100 feet tall and produce from 10 to 50 kilowatts of power per hour.

“We really don’t have anything in our ordinance that addresses this, so by amending our ordinance we are allowing these things to go in place either by right or special use permit depending on height,” said Philip Thompson, Roanoke County Deputy Director of planning.

Mary McCallum and her husband have been looking into building a wind turbine since 2004.  “I approached the county in 2004 but they didn’t have anything on the books then for this type of thing.”

The wind turbine on Mary’s property would be a little taller than 100 feet and would only supplement her energy costs.

Towers similar to hers cost about $75,000, but there are federal tax credits and a state rebate that come with it.  She would end up paying about $35,000 initally.

“You do get it back in the long run but it takes at least fifteen years.”

Mary has sent letters to all her neighbors detailing their plans and giving leaving them information about wind energy.  The county could end up using her model as a test run for future turbines.

“As we go forward and see how these systems play out, we can make amendments to the ordinance as needed,” said Thompson.

Filed Under: Earth Sciences & Geology Tagged With: , , ,
« Older Posts