Portsmouth residents to weigh bond for wind turbine (RI)

[jpak]

http://www.projo.com/ri/portsmouth/content/EB_PORTWIND31_10-31-07_U37MCU1_v10.314c782.html

PORTSMOUTH — Wind energy makes sense economically and environmentally, says Town Council president Dennis M. Canario.

And pulling the lever next Tuesday for a $3-million bond issue to finance a wind turbine on town-owned land at the middle school off Jepson Lane is a “no-brainer,” Canario says.

A feasibility study commissioned by the town’s Economic Development Committee estimates that a wind tower, similar in appearance to the one installed at Portsmouth Abbey, would yield a total of $3.2 million in combined revenue and savings over 20 years, the minimum life of the turbine.

Voters are being asked to approve $3 million up front to build the tower. Most of the money — $2.6 million — would be interest-free, coming from federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds.

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