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Wind proposal coming back



North Attleboro businessman Mike Bedard on the site of a wind farm under construction on Mt. Wachusett in Princeton. (Submitted)




NA businessman to offer updated plans for turbine
NORTH ATTLEBORO - Businessman Michael Bedard isn't just blowing hot air about wind turbines.

Bedard, who proposed in June building a wind turbine at the World War I Memorial Park, says he has spent almost 1,000 hours reading up on wind turbines and observing construction of the structures in Princeton to gain knowledge critical to the success of the project.

"I've been watching and learning. You can look at it on paper and look at it on paper, but there's no substitute for hands-on experience," he said.

As a result, Bedard plans to head before the park commission again in December with updated plans for building a wind turbine in North Attleboro.

He did not want to go into specifics about the plans until after giving the presentation.
Previously, Bedard approached the commission with a proposal to build a 250-foot wind turbine near Sunrise Hill at the World War I Memorial Park.

Sunrise Hill is the highest point in Bristol County and already has a fire tower near its top.

Bedard proposed leasing the property from the park and recreation department in return for 5 percent of gross revenue generated by the turbine.

He plans to sell electricity generated at the site, and estimated the town would receive about $25,000 a year from the deal.

Bedard said the $3 million project is feasible because of tax benefits he would be eligible to receive from the federal stimulus package.

Park commissioners greeted the preliminary plan with a mixed reaction. Some commissioners were concerned about the impact of the wind turbine on the park, while others thought the project would be a boon for the town.


 


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s-plumb wrote on Oct 17, 2009 9:33 AM:

" Drill baby drill. You'll need petro to lubricate the turbine bearings, and insulate the conductors used to transport the relatively small amount of power produced. However if we used all power sources it would lead to a lower cost for energy, and less reliance on foreign countries. "