The latest in the exciting growth of wind power in Vermont comes through the Community Wind Project, a partnership of Green Mountain Power and Northern Power Systems. The project recently awarded its first community wind turbine to Northlands Job Corps, a US Department of Labor educational institution in Vergennes.
“Job Corps has a long commitment to pursuing green initiatives,” said Ian McGaughey, a spokesman for the Department of Labor. “The program offers extensive opportunities for training in the green economy, and the turbine is an important addition to that mission."
Green Mountain Power will own and maintain the turbine. Northlands will receive a credit of 10% of the power it generates in exchange for hosting the turbine.
McGaughey said the partnership is an excellent example of public and private entities working together to offset CO2 emissions in the state.
“We’re hoping to do more around Vermont,” said Green Mountain Power spokeswoman Dorothy Schnure. “We don’t have anything specific yet.”
The turbine has received generally positive coverage in the press (see here and here), though WPTZ carried a story about a guy who accuses the turbine of blowing allergens around. No, we're not kidding.
