Home

Peaks Island Council Resolution

Mon, 03/30/2009 - 12:04 — Sam Saltonstall

 

Peaks Island Council Resolution to the Portland City Council

Peaks Environmental Action Team Wind Testing Initiative

March 25, 2009


 

WHEREAS global warming, sea level rise, dependence on foreign oil and air pollution all result when fossil fuels are used to generate electricity; and

Whereas wind represents a free resource which can generate renewable energy economically and reliably; and 

Whereas the Peaks Environmental Action Team (lPEAT) is interested in conducting a one to two year wind study on Peaks to determine if a wind turbine project might be possible; and

Whereas PEAT has found in Unity College an organization with the expertise and equipment to carry out such a study at no expense to islanders or the City; and

Whereas Unity College has completed a Peaks Island "preliminary wind power site assessment" which indicates that such a study could confirm National Renewable Energy Laboratory data published in 2007 indicating that "Peaks Island has a coastal Class 3 wind resource of 6.4-7.0 meters/second average annual wind speed", possibly sufficient for a wind turbine project; and

Whereas a team from the college has visited the island, toured several sites, and explained at a public meeting what testing the wind involves; and

Whereas the resulting recorded data could be analyzed by the College to help determine whether an island wind project is economically feasible; and

Whereas such a project would have the potential to benefit the island community;
 

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Peaks Island Council, by unanimous vote, hereby supports the PEAT wind testing initiative, and petitions the Portland City Council to:

  • endorse this initial step towards developing a clean, alternative power source within the City's boundaries,

  • allow Unity College or its designee to erect wind testing equipment on City Land should that be the property selected pending Peat's satisfactory completion of the necessary permitting steps and compliance with any conservation easements.

  • direct City personnel on Peaks and on the mainland to continue to work cooperatively with PEAT, Unity College and the Peaks Island Council as the wind testing initiative moves forward.