Wind power agreement found to be 'redundant,' voters earmark transportation funds for School Department

Oct 24, 2012

Town Meeting voters on Tuesday took no action on an article that would authorize the Board of Selectmen to negotiate the purchase of renewable energy credits from Future Generation Wind LLC.

Finance Committee member Frank Heath said he thought the article was redundant, because Town Meeting had already OK'd a separate proposal for the same purpose. That proposal dealt with solar energy credits, but the approval gave Selectmen the ability to negotiate the purchase of energy credits for any alternative energy project, town officials explained. For more on the solar project, click here.

The four-turbine facility would be located in at 810 Head of the Bay Road in Buzzards Bay. Keith Mann of Future Generation Wind LLC said the agreement would save Wareham $18.5 million on its municipal energy bill over a twenty year contract.

Sage Stone LLC the other company pursuing a power purchasing agreement with Wareham, estimates that it could save Wareham more than $10 million over a 25 year contract.

Future Generation Wind says entering in to an agreement with the company will save Wareham 20 to 30 percent (or 20 to 30 cents on the dollar) on the town’s energy bills.

Future Generation Wind has already entered into similar agreements with Marion, Rochester, and Old Rochester Regional High School.

In other business:

  • Wareham received a $134,000 reimbursement from the state for expenses the district incurred from transporting homeless students last year. Town Meeting voters OK'd the use of the funds for school transportation purposes.