SUFFOLK
Alternative energy enthusiasts received a boost Wednesday when the City Council unanimously voted to let residents build wind turbines.
The ordinance is the first of its kind in Hampton Roads. It allows people to build small turbines by right in some areas but requires a permit for structures standing between 120 and 500 feet tall.
Virginia Beach, which is much windier in some areas than Suffolk, is researching a similar move, while Chesapeake is collecting data to judge the feasibility of putting a turbine on city property.
Suffolk isn't a particularly windy city. But some parts, especially in the north near water, might have potential for commercial wind energy, said Jonathan Miles, a professor at James Madison University who works with the U.S. Department of Energy's wind and hydropower technology program.
The U.S. Department of Energy rated most of Suffolk a 1 - or "poor" - on a 7-point scale for resource potential.
Areas along the Virginia Beach coast and the Eastern Shore are rated 3, a city staff report said.
So what chance do residents have of seeing any of those sleek modern windmills churning away on a Suffolk horizon?
"Time will tell," Planning Director Scott Mills said.
At least one resident has asked about building one, Mills said.
Roger Leonard inquired about the possibility more than a year ago and said he already has some small test turbines that could be used to collect data for larger projects.
Al Shriner of Atlantic Wind Energy LLC, a Chesapeake consulting firm, didn't expect to see many Suffolk homeowners trying to harness the wind anytime soon. "Not unless they were really green," he said.
A small turbine might cost $6,000, and considering Suffolk's potential, "it's not going to be an economic boon to you," Shriner said.
City staff reviewed ordinances from across the country to draft Suffolk's. It addresses issues such as how far a turbine must be from buildings and roads, and includes a requirement for only "non-obtrusive" colors. Advertising is banned.
Miles, who is trying to establish a wind energy pilot project on Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay, said new laws like Suffolk's are gaining momentum across the mid-Atlantic region.
"There aren't that many in the state that actually have one right now," he said.
Wind energy continues to grow more attractive as the technology becomes more efficient, and in response to concerns about carbon emissions and expected long-term price increases in fuel, Miles said.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
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I don't get it
All you ever hear anymore is "GREEN THIS and GREEN THAT" so how it is anything if not hypocritical that any city would not let some fool put one of these things up is beyond me. That goes for solar panels, solar air heaters and the like. You could argue about how "GREEN" it is after you add lead acid batteries and the host of not-so-greenly-manufactured electronics that go along with it but, that's not my point. Maybe they just haven't figured out how to tax it.
A good option!
Suffolk may not be the "Windy City" but there has been a lot of good work on the efficiencies of wind turbines in the last few years that make even “low wind areas” economical for wind harvesting. I will be putting up about two or three test units in the next few weeks and if the data looks reasonable, I will be building several larger production units in Suffolk.
This ordinance change was about creating a legal way to use and install wind turbines in Suffolk, with reasonable standards to do so. This forward looking ordinance change actually puts Suffolk in the forefront of “Green” energy production that we find being pushed and will be so even more in the near future. The US Senate recently extended for three more years the tax incentive credits for these kinds of power production.
Roger A. Leonard, MPA
Suffolk…
Imagine!
Imagine! Wind turbines at the upper class homes of Harbourview in Northern Suffolk. Golfer trying to "putt" as the turbines "squirk" as they turn with the wind. Golfing with the "swooshing" sound of the turbine blades turing in the wind. Having in view stately homes with 150-500 ft. towers in the backyard.
Harbourview in Northern Suffolk could be renamed the "Holland - The Windmill Capital" of Suffolk.
RIDICULOUS waste of time
So they waste their time on things like approving ridiculous things like wind turbines in Suffolk, where the wind does not blow from basically March-September (except for rogue tornadoes...) but we can't get CURBSIDE RECYCLING PICKUP anymore???? That make so much sense. Not.
well well well
A community that recognizes property rights! Since our family home sits on top of a high hill in the northern part of Suffolk on the water, might be something to look at! I just wonder if it will jack up property value or get a break?
Suffolk Has Heavy Wind Most of the Time
"Suffolk isn't a particularly windy city?"
I beg to differ. As a cyclist, I can attest to the wind conditions all over the City of Suffolk. Some years back city officials managed to lure a balloon festival to Suffolk, but balloonists want dead calm, not wind. Hence, the winds in Suffolk soon spelled an end to Suffolk's Balloon Festival.
Cut a Hole in Suffolk City Hall
Cut a hole in the roof of City Hall, and a lot of energy could be generated from the hot dead air emanating from the weekly meetings.