By Natalie Miller, February 16, 2006

Over the past year, the cost of energy has been on a roller coaster and has taken Ipswich residents along for the ride. In the aftermath of the highest cost the town has seen, the long proposed wind turbine is on its way onto the warrant at the annual Town Meeting in April.

The single wind turbine would be owned and operated by the town of Ipswich with the hopes of offsetting energy costs as well as promoting and generating clean energy.

The warrant article, which is currently being drafted, will ask for approval to seek financing for the cost of a $3.8 million wind turbine using a 20-year bond.

Utilities Director Timothy Henry is in the process of applying for a special federal bond at zero percent interest. This Clean Renewable Energy Bond is the product of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This act, signed by President George Bush in August, allocated $800 million to clean energy projects for municipalities in the country.

Jason Wertz, member of Ipswich Citizens Advocating for Renewable Energy (ICARE), said the chances are high of getting approved for the federal bond because of the small size of the project. Anything less than $5 million is considered small, he said.

If awarded, said Wertz, Ipswich will receive financing for the amount of the project, which will go into a no-tax, no-interest bond. If the bond is not granted, the project will still go forward and a standard 20-year bond will be used at a 6 percent interest rate, which will cost the town another $1.5 million, said Wertz.

ICARE member and lawyer Eric Krathwohl is assisting the town with the application, which must be in by April 26.

"One of the reasons we formed ICARE is to get people like Eric to help the town with things like this," said Wertz of KrathwohlÕs assistance. "Right now, (Power Plant Director Tim) Henry is short staffed. Eric is donating his time. ItÕs a great thing that he is helping."

Savings down the road

According to Ipswich Power Plant Supervisor Bill Ford, residents wonÕt feel an immediate impact on their electric bills once the turbine is up and running.

The power generated by the turbine will supply about 4 percent of the townÕs energy; money saved by not having to buy this electricity on the open market will be used to pay off the 20-year bond. After that, ratepayers will begin to see the savings on their electric bills.

A feasibility report produced in 2005 by Meridian Associates predicts the turbine will pay for itself and turn a small profit. The report was based on the June 2005 energy cost forecast. This report is available on the townÕs Utilities Department Web site.

According to the study, the 1.5 megawatt turbine should produce about 3,153 megawatt hours electricity per year. This amount equates to enough energy to power 400 average-use homes in Ipswich or 4 percent of the townÕs power.

The wind turbine would stand 260 feet tall with three 80 foot blades and a 15 foot base. Proponents plan to build it at the end of Town Farm Road at the site of the old transfer station. Studies have shown itÕs the most practical location, Ford said.

Ford said the current cost of energy for households is about 12 cents per kilowatt. This price could be rising to 15 cents or higher in the coming future. The average Ipswich home uses about 580 kilowatts a month. One kilowatt of power is expended over one hour.

The cost of energy with the wind turbine will be about 7 cents per kilowatt, he said. The turbine proposed for Ipswich will produce 1,500 kilowatts a month. This energy will be fed back into the distribution system, supplying cost efficient electricity to all homes in town.

In addition to the financial soundness of having a wind turbine, Wertz and other members of ICARE feel there is also much weight in the environmental benefits of the turbine.

"ItÕs a clean, renewable energy source," said Wertz. "ThatÕs the reason why we should move forward." Inspiration in Hull

A few years ago, when this technology became an interest in Ipswich, Ford, members of ICARE and the community took a trip to Hull to evaluate their communities wind turbine and the effect it has had on the town.

"They had a successful go at it," said Wertz of the 4-year-old turbine in Hull.

Hull is putting another turbine up in March and is looking into getting a third one to power the townÕs treatment plants.

Ford and other members of the department decided to propose just one turbine for Ipswich. The reason, Ford said, was to prove to everyone in town that the turbine would produce desired energy and cost results and be workable in town.

Once the first turbine is installed, if people petition for another one, the town may add more turbines, said Ford.

He will be making a presentation to the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee this month to discuss the entire project before the warrant hearing on March 6.

ICARE has been busy making presentations throughout town as well, educating the public, not only to the financial benefits but to the benefits of sustainable energy management.

The group was established in June 2005 with the purpose of educating the public and bringing awareness to the issue of renewable energy.

"We should always be looking for sources of energy that are clean and good for the environment," said Wertz, "because of what Ipswich represents."

Wind turbine info

ICARE is hosting two free information sessions at ZumiÕs on Market Street for residents to learn about the Ipswich Wind Turbine project. The sessions will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 25 at 4 p.m. Coffee will be provided.

ICARE also is launching the Web site www.ipswichrenewableenergy.org this week to provide information about the Ipswich Wind Turbine project and to have an open forum for discussion on the project.

The public is welcome to attend the next ICARE meeting at Town Hall on Wednesday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.