U.S. Coast Guard marks massive green energy effort with wind turbine raising in Southwest Harbor

Photo and interview opportunities available

SOUTHWEST HARBOR, MAINE -- The U.S. Coast Guard in Maine will mark a year-long effort to implement various green energy initiatives by raising a wind turbine that will provide power to Coast Guard housing during a ceremony in Southwest Harbor, Maine, Fri., Aug. 27, 2010.

The wind turbine is among several methods the Coast Guard has pursued to harness the power of Maine’s sunlight, wind, tides, and bio-fuel resources.

Several other systems are already in place, reducing energy costs and emissions. On Tues., Aug. 24, 2010, the Coast Guard, along with Ocean Renewable Power Company, unveiled the first-ever successful implementation of tidal energy at a federal facility in Eastport, Maine.

“Anyone who lives and works in Maine’s coastal environment sees the potential power of the wind, the water, and even the sun”, said Capt. James B. McPherson, commander of Coast Guard forces in Maine. “Our forestry industry also gives us a great alternative to heating oil in the form of non-toxic, clean-burning wood pellets. Our goal is to put those clean resources to work for us, saving money and the environment at the same time.”

With multiple projects involving tidal generators, solar panels and pellet boilers already complete, workers in Southwest Harbor will raise the 70-foot tower and secure a 2.4-kilowatt “Skystream” wind turbine at the apex. The turbine, positioned to take advantage of the prevailing winds that carve through the housing site, will provide electrical power to homes where Coast Guard crew members and their families live. The turbine begins making power with an 8mph wind speed, and the Coast Guard is hopeful that the electricity generated will cover a large percentage of the power needs of the adjacent duplex home, especially during the windy winter months. The turbine is the next step in the pursuit of a “net zero” home concept in the Southwest Harbor Housing.

“The wind turbine will complete our ‘full house’ of successful green energy initiatives in Down East Maine,” said McPherson.

These initiatives directly conform with a multitude of federal energy mandates, including the Executive Order (E.O.) 13514, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), E.O. 13423, Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), and the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA).

Further information on the Coast Guard's green energy initiatives may be found HERE.

The wind turbine raising ceremony will be conducted at Coast Guard Housing, 1 McEnroe Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME, at 2:30 p.m., Friday, August 27, 2010.

Photo and interview opportunities will be available. Please contact Lt. Ashly Thomas at (207) 266-7733 to RSVP.

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