The Alternative Energy Committee will sponsor a forum at its next meeting to discuss its article at Town Meeting for the adoption of a "Stretch Code"
Date: February 7, 2011, 7:00 PM at the Senior Center
Independent Expert Science Panel Releases Report on Potential Health Effects of Wind Turbines
[January 17, 2012] An independent panel of experts studying potential health impacts of wind turbines has issued its report, Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of the Independent Expert Panel. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) convened the panel in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). The panel was composed of physicians and scientists with broad expertise in areas including acoustical noise/infrasound, public health, sleep disturbance, mechanical engineering, epidemiology, and neuroscience. The report concluded there is no evidence for a set of health effects from exposure to wind turbines that could be characterized as a "Wind Turbine Syndrome." You can view the full report here.
The Town of Duxbury has entered into an innovative energy cost savings agreement with Pegasus Renewable Energy Partners, LLC of Marstons Mills, Mass.
[January 17, 2012] Duxbury will purchase 1.2MWh of net metering credits generated by Pegasus via a solar array project in the town of Acushnet. The net metering credits are credits with a cash value that can be used to pay the town’s NSTAR bills. Pegasus will own, operate and maintain the solar array. The town of Duxbury will purchase the “net-metering” credits at an effective discount of 18.5 cents per dollar. Once operational, the town of Duxbury will save an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 per year under the deal. More details can be read here.At a meeting of the AEC on January 10, 2012 a vote was taken to table the discussion of a wind turbine because current solar projects were providing energy to the town at 2/3 the cost of the proposed wind turbine.
Town meeting approved Article 4 on the Town Meeting Warrant[October 29, 2011]
The approval gives the town manager authority to enter into a contract for a solar array faciility located on the closed town landfill. The article and discussion of same can be read here.The Mass. Clean Energy Center granted Duxbury $65,000 to fund a full feasibility study
[June 17, 2010]Grant funds economic and siting study for town Wind Turbine..
Duxbury Town Meeting approves both AEC Warrants
[March 15,2010]Duxbury Town Meeting approves Bylaw amendment defining conditions for a municipal wind turbine..
Duxbury Finance Committee endorses Wind Town Articles
[Feb. 2,2010]The Duxbury Finance Committee endorses AEC Town ByLaw amendments..
Duxbury Planning Board Endorses Wind Town Articles
[1.25.2010]At a public hearing on Monday, January 25th at the Senior Center, the Town of Duxbury Planning Board endorsed the Alternative Engergy Committee's proposed Bylaw Amendment that will be presented to the voters at Town Meeting. The Duxbury Clipper reporting of the meeting can be read here.
Duxbury Alternative Energy Committee has received the Preliminary Survey of Potential Wind Project Sites in the Town of Duxbury, Massachusetts
[Oct. 27,2009]The report dated October 27, 2009 can be read here in its entirety.
Duxbury Board of Selectmen Endorses Town Articles
At the open meeting of the Board of Selectman on December 21, 2009 the Duxbury Board of Selectmen endorsed the AEC proposed town bylaw to allow a municipal scale wind facility that will be presented for a vote at Town Meeting. .
The Alternative Energy Committee is an Ad-Hoc committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen to advise the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen in identifying ways to help control the escalating costs of energy in the Town of Duxbury.
Our charge from the selectmen:
1. Work with Town staff to develop a reporting system to benchmark current energy usage by the Town.
2. Identify potential ways of reducing energy usage and costs. Methods of reducing energy costs may include conservation, technical improvements, monitoring, cogeneration, alternative sources of power generation such as wind and solar, and hybrid technologies.
3. Propose targets for reduction of energy usage and help town staff develop an action plan to achieve these targets.
4. Advise the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen during development of budget articles relating to alternative energy strategies. Work may include proposing by-law changes to allow for construction of new technologies.
5. Identify and assist the Town Manager with applications for grant opportunities and other non-tax methods of funding proposed projects.
6. Keep the public informed as to the progress of the committee‘s efforts by reporting periodically to the Board of Selectmen and holding public information meetings.
A Bridge to a Cleaner Future