New Haven Independent

posted by: cedarhillresident on March 10, 2010  12:30pm

I wish we could get some more of these up!!! I saw that some cities are setting them up in their landfills. and we have the abandoned cedarhill rail yards.

posted by: Jeez on March 10, 2010  1:27pm

I love seeing that as I drive over the Q everyday! It is so cool looking, there should be more.

posted by: lance on March 10, 2010  1:47pm

are the taxpayers going to have to hand over a half million for the second turbine as well?

posted by: FarHavenRes on March 10, 2010  2:37pm

Yes, I have some great ideas for other locations. Madison, Guilford,and Branford are just some of the municipalities that have some great areas along the shore to capture the wind coming off the sound.

I am sure that our neighbor and partners in a more green world would welcome the opportunity.

Perhaps UI could get some stimulus money and place several more of these wind turbines in these other shoreline communities. 

I was just thinking.

posted by: streever on March 10, 2010  3:20pm

I think the taxpayers will love not paying for coal powered energy as the cost inevitably rises :)

Good work!

posted by: City hall Watch on March 10, 2010  5:48pm

Where do I plug in? I’ve bought 5,000 feet of cable so I can get a return on the hidden taxes I pay for this gift to Phoenix.

posted by: Jeez on March 10, 2010  6:36pm

FarHavenRes: That’s a great idea, they’re much nicer looking than those cell phone towers that are going up everywhere.

posted by: cedarhillresident on March 10, 2010  6:41pm

wait I thought this did not cost us….read these two storys

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2009/03/18/news/new_haven/a1_—_windturbines.txt

and

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2008/08/pending_approva.php

am I wrong??

posted by: observer on March 11, 2010  12:40pm

What happened to the pilot turbine planned for the INFO booth on Long Wharf? I thought that was given the go-ahead back in ‘08? http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2008/08/pending_approva.php

posted by: Clean Energy on March 11, 2010  3:22pm

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund’s financial resources come from a line item on your electric bill, should you choose not to generate your own electricity.

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund promotes, develops, and invests in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut ratepayers.

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund was created in 2000 by the Connecticut Legislature. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, which has a long track record of making successful investments to advance emerging technologies. CCEF alone has funded more than $100 million in projects, commitments and program allocations statewide.

Phoenix Press is only one of hundreds of projects partially funded by the CCEF. By being an innovator, Phoenix exposes itself to some criticism, but is looked to as an example of a company investing in the future of Connecticut business. This wind turbine is NOT portable, and therefore will be generating clean energy for the next 30+ years, with NO pollution to breathe or contaminate our food.

Come see the turbine at James Street, or appreciate the view from the Q-bridge, where 125,000 DAILY drivers also see it! By helping fund the project, the CCEF generates much more interest, innovation, and ultimately helps drive down the cost of the technology by proving there’s demand. China is a polluter because of our consumption habits; but they’re also the LEADER in renewable energy installations because they understand “cheap” oil from the Middle East won’t last long, and an economy based on liquid fuel will not work into the future.

Clean energy is here, lance. Get used to it! And Phoenix isn’t the bad guy- it’s just taking legal advantage of a ratepayer-funded incentive program to spearhead the installation of renewable energy in Connecticut. It’s the patriotic thing to do: get our troops out of the oil-rich countries, and keep our hard-earned money out of the hands of those who hate us!

posted by: City Hall Watch on March 11, 2010  6:56pm

Clean Energy:

It is nothing to do with patriotism. Yes, Phoenix is taking advantage of the incentive and no, they are not the bad guys. But the bottom line is all rate payers are forced to pay for the clean energy fund which is then given to other people for their private benefit. There is no benefit for the general rate payer. And no, most of us will not, nor would it be economical enough to install turbines on our houses or even solar panels. there is nothing patriotic about taking my money and giving it to somebody else.

posted by: Fed up on March 12, 2010  1:22am

I’m sick of hearing people complain about their “tax dollars” being “wasted” and the “me me me” diatribe perpetuated by selfish Americans.

We live in a society that looks out for it’s citizens. We have Social Security which provides a retirement stipend for those who have paid into the system during their working years so that they may live with dignity in their elder years. Surely it’s not perfect, but this system is all about looking out for our neighbors.

We live in a society which at it’s core is focused on “the public good” which includes public utilities, fire, police, schools, libraries, water, sewer, and yes, even recreation. We have choices as to where we live, what we purchase, and ultimately to pay or not pay for services (which in some cases will result in consequences approved by our political representatives).

The point here is that the people here on this messageboard can’t seem to get out of the “why am I a victim of this society?” and into the mode of: “these projects & the funding have been identified by our elected representatives as important (much like the National Park System), the projects DO benefit EVERYONE in the form of clean air, energy security, and local innovation, and we’d be signing our death warrants if we fail to adopt to the changing times and embrace change instead of resisting it now.”

I’m not telling you how to live your life. Your children are doing that for you (hint: they WANT renewable energy!) I’m just sick and tired of petty arguments that aren’t worth the electricity my computer screen eats up displaying them!

If you don’t like how the system works, there are plenty of inexpensive places within the US in which to live; unplug from the grid (don’t buy electricity if you don’t like the rules!), grow your own food, but for heaven’s sake, PLEASE research the facts before you make a fool of yourself and this city!

posted by: get over it on March 12, 2010  1:31am

It’s an electricity generator. It’ll reduce the load borne by the local power plant. Got asthma like me? Well you’ll breathe easier knowing this business isn’t contributing to the air quality problem in the Elm City and beyond.

Drive down Woodward Ave on a summer day. Notice the smell? It’s oil tanks & pollution from the harbor station power plant. Yuck! Nothing but wind at that company in Fair Haven!

Get off your high horses, people. It’s just a wind turbine. It’s the first one in the state. But it’s not the last one- it’s a beautiful piece of kinetic art!!!!!

What a happy resident I am! Now kids in Fair Haven can actually SEE a turbine and dream of a prosperous future; one without wars in oil countries. My friend died in Iraq. Saddam was a joke. We’re there for cheap oil.

Get over it. It’s clean energy, and no one died to get it.

posted by: Mike on March 12, 2010  12:32pm

There are now two companies offering clean energy in New Haven.  Switching your home over is quite simple.  If you can afford the slightly increased cost (about $9/month for a typical home), then for the sake of the environment, please consider switching over:

http://www.communityenergyinc.com/

http://www.sterlingplanet.com/

posted by: Bruce on March 13, 2010  4:49pm

City Hall Watch:  There IS a benefit to you and the rest of the ratepayers.  CT pays enormous charges because of grid congestion.  Distributed generation helps alleviate this congestion.