Henry Raymond
Fairfax News => Political Issues/Comments => Topic started by: Chris Santee on September 18, 2009, 10:59:26 AM
-
Lt. Governor Dubie Promotes Vermont-Made Wind Turbines on Alaska Energy Tour with Alaska Lt. Governor Campbell
(ANCHORAGE) -- Vermont Lt. Governor Brian Dubie was in Alaska this week to visit remote Alaskan villages where Vermont-made Northwind 100 wind turbines have begun to replace diesel-powered electric generators with clean, renewable and more affordable wind energy.
Dubie toured the sites with Alaska Lt. Governor Craig Campbell, and executives from Northern Power Systems of Barre, VT, where the Northwind 100 machines are engineered and built.
Dubie said, “I’m here to draw attention to a superior machine. The Northwind 100 is community-size and low maintenance – which is a serious consideration when it’s 40-below outside and you’re hundreds of miles from the nearest city. The direct-drive, gearless design produces more power at lower wind velocities. Because it has fewer parts than conventional turbines, it breaks down less often.”
Alaska’s remote population centers are largely powered by diesel generators. If the diesel is transported by air into a village, electricity retails for up to $1.00 per kWh. Shipping by barge reduces that cost by half. By comparison, Vermont’s July 2009 electric rates average between 9 and 15 cents per kWh, depending on sector.
Wednesday Dubie, Campbell and Northern Power representatives met with local leaders and toured turbine sites and power plants in the remote west coast village of Ulalakleet, 395 miles northwest of Anchorage, with a 2008 population 723, and in Savoonga, a village located on the northern coast of St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, 164 miles west of Nome, with a population of 642.
Today, Lt. Governor Dubie and Lt Governor Campbell are scheduled to conduct a town hall meeting on alternative energy at the University of Fairbanks.
Lt Gov Dubie said, “My involvement with Northern Power began in the summer of 2006, when we started to talk about ways for the company to grow its Barre operation. They asked me if I knew anyone in Alaska, where they knew that the Northwind 100 would be an ideal energy source in cold and remote regions. I had a good relationship with then- Lt Governor Loren Leman, so we set up a couple of conference calls and planted the seed.”
Dubie continued, “As of today, Northern Power has sold 40 units into the important Alaska market, at roughly a half a million dollars each. The number of installations should reach 31 by the end of this year's construction season.”
Northern Power had 75 employees a year ago. The company has added 55 more to date, and expects to double its staff by the end of this year, with an expected total of 150 employees.
Dubie noted that a week ago, he was at Bolton Valley Ski Resort to break ground for the first Northwind 100 turbine installation planned for Vermont. The resort expects it to be operational in late autumn.
-
smokem if you gotum