The project plan was in pursuit of Governor Patrick’s goal of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power in Massachusetts by 2020.
Under terms of the RFP, the Turnpike Authority would provide the successful developer with a long-term lease on land adjacent to the Blandford rest area. It directs the selected developer to work closely with the MTA, EEA, the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, and other local, state, and federal agencies. The project would be subject to local zoning and must comply with all environmental permitting and other regulatory requirements. Proposals are due June 30, 2009.
“This is a great example of how state agencies can work together to achieve our common goals,” said Governor Patrick. “This wind energy project is good for the environment and it will help create jobs within our clean energy economy.”
“Our transportation system should be acting responsibly to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions wherever possible,” said Transportation Secretary James Aloisi. “We want our highways and roads to be as green as they can be, and a wind turbine on the Turnpike at Blandford will be an important statement about the Commonwealth’s commitment to clean energy.”
“Harnessing our abundant wind resources is central to Governor Patrick’s plan to create a clean energy economy in Massachusetts,” EEA Secretary Ian Bowles said. “The Blandford turbine will be seen by thousands of motorists every day – raising the profile of wind power in western Massachusetts while bolstering our efforts to make the Commonwealth a wind energy hub.”
Studies completed in January 2009 by the University of Massachusetts renewable energy research laboratory concluded that the Hampden County location has wind resource sufficient to support a 1.5 MW turbine. Producing up to 3,000 MW hours of electricity annually, such a turbine could produce sufficient clean energy to power roughly 400 households.
Working in collaboration with EEA, the MTA last year began investigating wind power potential at the Blandford Rest Area as part of a “Greening the Turnpike” initiative designed to comply with Governor Patrick’s “Leading by Example” Executive Order and his broader goal to develop the Commonwealth’s clean energy economy. In January 2009, Governor Patrick set an ambitious wind power target for Massachusetts, 2,000 megawatts of wind capacity (enough to power 800,000 homes) by 2020.
At Blandford, the selected proposal would develop a wind turbine installation on the site and sell the output to the Western Massachusetts Electric Co. or another retail electricity provider, moving Massachusetts closer to the Governor’s goal for wind power.
Local officials are enthusiastic about the Blandford wind turbine, along with other opportunities to put renewable energy to work for their municipalities under the Green Communities Act, the comprehensive energy reform bill enacted last year.
“With the installation of a wind turbine at the Blandford Rest Area, the Administration continues to take bold steps to promote renewable energy in the Commonwealth. This is another great example of how Berkshire County residents care about the environment and strive to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli.
“Blandford is excited to endorse this project by the MTA and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs,” said Robert Roy Nichols, acting Town Administrator and Chairman of the Blandford Green Community Committee. “We look forward to partnering with them on this project and hopefully many more projects in the upcoming months. Blandford has embraced the Green Communities Act, and the initiatives and incentives driven by Gov. Patrick, Lt. Gov. Murray, and Secretary Bowles.”
“The Select Board of Blandford is very aware of wind power and photovoltaic and we are looking forward to going ahead with these types of projects to become independent of OPEC,” said Chet Broughton, chairman of the Blandford Board of Selectman.
Governor Patrick’s Transportation and Economic Security Plan includes several provisions to “green” the transportation system by encouraging more fuel-efficient vehicles and promoting “Buy and Build Green” practices. A Complete Streets and sustainability initiative will help give people the opportunity to drive less with increased access to transit, bicycling and walking.
