Commission approves domestic wind generators
Jackson Hole Star Tribune
April 2, 2008
www.jacksonholestartrib.com
By Megan Lee
The Natrona County Commission voted unanimously to allow installation of domestic wind generators on two properties on Tuesday.
Mark Boname, who said he wants to have the first "green" fly fishing shop in the country, successfully applied to have a wind generator placed on his commercial property near Red Buttes.
Gene Theriault, a local vendor of eco-friendly energy equipment and the second applicant, said he'll have his wind turbine installed as soon as possible.
"This is all about energy independence for the individual and our nation," Theriault said. "This is one way we can help."
Within a dozen years, wind poles will be in everyone's front yard, he said. And although some people think they're an eye sore, they're no less attractive than any other power source, he said.
"Compare the Skystream 33-foot pole to the utility pole in my front yard," he said. "At the top of the blade, the pole is about the same height, and I would gladly trade the wind generator for the utility pole any day of the week."
He addressed commissioner Terry Wingerter's concern about noise level, noting that wind generators create at most 60 decibels and the microphone he spoke into made more noise than that. People would probably only be able to hear the generator when standing directly beneath it, Theriault said.
Ram Peddada, a Casper resident with a doctorate in mechanical engineering, said he's excited that someone is taking advantage of the intense Wyoming wind.
"If you were to look at the cost of wind power it would be the lowest compared to hydroelectric, nuclear, coal, and natural gas," he said. "We can't ignore this power in the future."
Although his project was approved, Theriault voiced some concerns about the 10 meetings he needed to attend to obtain the wind generator building permit.
"We've had several processes that we had to go through," he said. "Tonight was the culmination of all those meetings and we finally got the 'OK' to go."
Wingerter said the process will get better.
"This is new ground for us," he said. "Wind power is certainly the power of the future, and with the wind around Wyoming, it makes sense, so the process is going to become easier and easier."
Generators cost anywhere from $12,000 to $16,000, depending on equipment costs and building permit fees. Wyoming does not tax on renewable energy resources, including wind generation. |
