LIPA Announces New Backyard Wind Power Program
Uniondale, NY – With traditional global energy resources decreasing
and with fossil fuels contributing to the nation’s climate change concerns, the
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is continuing its commitment to energy
efficiency and renewable energy and has announced the creation of a Backyard
Wind initiative for customers in 2009.
The new program will provide rebates to homeowners, businesses,
municipalities, and nonprofits seeking to harness power from the wind through
the use of land-based wind turbines.
The initiative is consistent with Governor David Paterson’s recently
announced “45 X 15” program that establishes the goal of New York State meeting
45% of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and renewable
sources by the year 2015.
LIPA’s wind initiative will help transform the market for wind systems on
Long Island by achieving the following:
- Increasing consumer awareness and market demand for wind systems;
- Accelerating the development of a robust, self sustaining local
infrastructure for the delivery and the maintenance of quality wind systems;
- Developing a mechanism to overcome financial market barriers;
- Accelerating the cost reduction of wind systems while increasing
reliability and performance
LIPA has committed $1.2 million to the wind initiative in the operating
budget for 2009. The wind power initiative is an expansion of the utility’s
successful Solar Pioneer program which has rebated over $36 million on the
installation of nearly 1,700 photovoltaic or "PV” systems since its inception in
2000.
“Just as LIPA’s Solar Pioneer program helped transform the photovoltaic
industry and make Long Island a leader in solar panel installations, the hope is
that our wind pilot will do the same for the wind industry,” said LIPA President
and CEO Kevin S. Law. “Our energy future is clear; we need to continue investing
in and promoting the use of clean, alternative forms of energy now, or we will
never break free from our reliance on costly, dirtier, fossil fuels needed to
generate electricity in the traditional way.”
Residents in places like Islip, which is the first municipality on Long
Island to amend its Town Code to allow wind turbines in residential backyards,
could see rebates up to 60%.
“This is a great initiative and I am proud to continue moving the Town of
Islip to the forefront of environmental issues,” said Town Supervisor Phil
Nolan. “Wind turbines will offer residents an eco-friendly, cost-saving option
to meet their energy needs and the LIPA pilot project will help offset
significant purchase and installation costs. As the technology advances it will
became more affordable and the resolution we passed is a strong first step in
expanding green technology town-wide.”
"The Farm Bureau is highly supportive of LIPA's new Wind Power Initiative,"
said Joe Gergela, Executive Director for the Long Island Farm Bureau. "Wind
energy used on the East End and on farms across Long Island will not only
provide green energy that is safe for the environment but will help those in the
farming community to lower their bills."
"In the right location, small wind turbines can generate pleny of
emission-free electricity and help home and business owners meet their energy
needs," said Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of the not-for-profit
organization Renewable Energy Long Island. "Thanks to LIPA's new rebates for
small wind turbines and state and federal income tax credits, this technology is
now becoming available and affordable to more Long Islanders."
LIPA’s wind program rebate will work as follows:
- New residential installations for 2009 will be rebated at the lesser of
$3.50 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the first 16,000 kWh or 60% of the total
installed cost.
- New commercial installations for 2009 will be rebated at the lesser of
$3.50 per kWh for the first 16,000 kWh and $0.50 per kWh thereafter up to a
maximum of 175,200 kWh or 60% of the total installed cost.
- New municipalities and non-for-profit installations for 2009 will be
rebated at the lesser of $4.50 per kWh for the first 16,000 kWh and $1.50
kWh thereafter up to a maximum of 175,200 kWh or 60 % of the installed cost.
LIPA’s wind program builds off a federal program that provides federal tax
credits for small wind systems through 2016.
Funding for LIPA’s renewable programs in 2009 was increased 75% from $8
million in incentives under its Solar Pioneer program in 2008 to $14.4 million
in 2009. This increased investment represents $13.2 million for expansion of the
incentives provided for the residential Solar Pioneer program and the creation
of a new “Solar Entrepreneur” program for businesses and municipal solar
installations with capacities of up to 100kw, and the $1.2 million allocation
for this wind initiative.
For more information on LIPA’s Backyard Wind initiative and other renewable
programs visit www.lipower.org. |
