“Absent Duanesburg’s wind turbine ordinance, Richard Wooding’s residential project might have faced a cumbersome approval process.
Prior to the enactment of the law last month, wind turbine projects were confined to land zoned for agriculture. With the town’s ordinance in place now, residential properties can apply for permits to build turbines, provided they conform to several conditions.
Wooding plans to convert a 90-foot-tall galvanized steel radio tower at his Mudge Road residence so that it can hold a small turbine. The project was proposed to the town Planning Board Thursday and is the first to be considered under the new law.
“We’re excited,” said chairwoman Sandra Scott. “It’s the first one.” But it won’t be the last.
Though Wooding’s turbine is the only official application on file with the Planning Board, Scott said she’s heard of at least two other projects being discussed in other areas of the town.
Wooding said he originally constructed his tower during the 1980s for use with a ham radio. He’s proposing to mount a small turbine that would produce about 1 kilowatt of electricity an hour.
As a steam turbine engineer with General Electric Co. in Schenectady, Wooding has taken a hobbyist’s interest in producing alternative energy at his home. He’s hoping to use the turbine and photovoltaic cells to form a hybrid system that will help lower his energy costs.
“I really always wanted to do it,” he said. “I’m not even sure it’s going to break even economically.”
Under the ordinance, Wooding’s turbine will need to be located roughly 135 feet from the closest residence. His tower already falls beneath the 200-foot maximum height established under the law for small wind energy projects.
Wooding said his home is located at a relatively high elevation for the county. He said the contorted tree limbs around his property show signs of the strong gusts that sometimes course through the area.”
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Mason, Justin. Schenectady Daily Gazette 19 July 2008.