September 18, 2006

Renewable Energy Program Gains Steam!

Since the August 21 meeting of Council¹s Committee of the Whole introduced an array of renewable energy systems, real progress can be shown.

Tam-O-Shanter requires about 1,500 gallons of hot water per day. A request for financial assistance is being sent, which, if granted, will allow a $75,000 solar system to be installed with a return on investment in five years.

Greg Wells, of Jackson & Sons, and John Turley, of Middleton Geothermal Services, assisted Lourdes College in preparing its test well. They made a brief presentation on geothermal energy systems to CIC and to Tam-O- Shanter last week. Wells estimated that Tam-O-Shanter¹s natural gas bill can be reduced by at least 50% with a geo installation and that the payback period would be 7 10 years with no grant money required. Steve Morris of JDRM on Main Street designed the Lourdes project.

Meantime, Keith Haddad¹s Utility and Environment Committee will be exploring the option of creating a municipal utility, the possible purchase of FirstEnergy's distribution system inside city limits, building a system and other options.

Various sources of ³green power² will be discussed, as will energy conservation in all city buildings, including making them Energy Star compliant. According to Haddad, this will save the city money, set an example to residents and businesses and conserve natural resources.

Jack MacMillan
For Sylvania AdVantage