Originally published December 7 2005
New York town joins the movement toward wind power
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Clarkstown, NY, has purchased 10 percent of its energy needs in the form of wind power from Community Energy Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company that provides alternative energy.
Wind power will now help to keep streetlights and municipal buildings lit.
The alternative energy source would cost the town about $12,000 more a year, a minimal impact because of rising gas prices, said Amy Mele, deputy town attorney for purchasing.
"It's not about savings, but more a policy statement," Mele said.
"We're trying to make it a more competitive form of energy."
The town voted earlier this month to purchase 10 percent of its energy needs from Community Energy Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company that provides the alternative energy sources, with the hope of encouraging other municipalities, businesses and residents to do the same.
"We want to do our part and set an example," Town Supervisor Alex Gromack said.
The town will purchase about 740,000 kilowatt hours worth of wind energy for the next five years with the option to buy more.
Gromack said using wind power would help drive down the price of natural gas as well as ease dependence on foreign oil.
If more people began using renewable energy sources like wind energy, it also would bring down the cost of purchasing it, Mele said.
"It would open up the door for more competition, decrease prices and make it available to residential users," Mele said.
The average homeowner would have to pay about $5 to $15 more a month to power their home with wind energy, said Paul Copleman, Community Energy Inc. spokesman.
Jane Stormes, 35, of West Nyack said she'd consider switching to wind energy despite the higher cost.
"I'd be willing to make an investment in the hopes of it costing less later," Stormes said.
Dave Weiss, 69, of Bardonia said he'd rather wait.
"Why would I want to pay more than I'm paying now?"
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