Long Island Power Authority and Eastern Energy Systems Inc. Flip the Switch on the Largest Wind Turbine in the History of Long Island

100kW Wind Turbine Made Possible Through LIPA’s Backyard Wind Program

View press conference photos

Laurel, New York—The Long Island Power Authority and Eastern Energy Systems Inc. celebrated the commencement of the largest wind turbine in the history of Long Island on Saturday, at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held at Half Hollow Nursery in Laurel, NY. Lloyd Rasweiler, owner of Half Hollow Nursery Inc. flipped the switch alongside Long Island Power Authority’s President & CEO, Kevin Law. Lloyd is the first pioneer to utilize the power of the largest wind turbine, which was made possible through LIPA’s Backyard Wind program.

“Flipping the switch on Long Island’s largest wind turbine demonstrates that wind power is no longer just a possibility on Long Island but a reality.” said LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law. “The use of solar and wind continues to thrive under LIPA’s renewable energy rebate programs helping us to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, assisting customers in lowering their energy bills, creating high quality clean energy jobs right here on Long Island.”

Eastern Energy Systems Inc. completed the installation of the largest wind turbine in the history of Long Island this December of 2009. Lloyd Rasweiler, owner of Half Hollow Nursery Inc., a wholesale only nursery located in Laurel, New York, commissioned E2sys to install the Northwind 100kW wind turbine on the property that spans over 1,200 acres of the Riverhead Township. "I did this project not for myself but for the future generations that will follow me. By using electric to run the irrigation systems, we can save up to 50% of the amount of water we use on the farm," said Lloyd Rasweiler, owner of Half Hollow Nursery Inc.

Al Harsch, Director of Corporate Relations for Eastern Energy Systems said, “The wind turbine was made in America and installed by Long Islanders. Those two crucial factors being part of every renewable energy project will change the future state of our economy.”

The Northwind 100 wind turbine, a community scale direct-drive unit manufactured by Northern Power Systems in Barre, Vermont, will stand at 121-feet to the nacelle and 156- feet to the highest point of the rotor. “Although Northern's turbines have been installed in over a dozen states and in four countries, we are very pleased to see the first Northwind 100 spinning on Long Island and in New York State at Half Hollow Nursery Inc." Brett Pingree, VP of North America.

The installed cost of the 100kW wind turbine is $500,000 of which LIPA will rebate $126,777.50. In addition, the Half Hollow Hills Nursery may further reduce the cost of the system via a federal tax incentive and by selling the excess electric energy produced back to LIPA. By using wind power as the primary source of energy, CO2 emissions will be reduced by 99.49 tons annually. The wind turbine is expected to produce an estimated 157,555 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year for an approximate annual energy savings of $29,305.

“The development of renewable energy sources is extremely important to fulfilling the ever-increasing demand for power,” said Senator Kenneth P. LaValle. “LIPA’s commitment to supporting renewable technologies will create new jobs, enhance our economy, and help reduce our dependence on foreign fuels. This wind turbine is a fine example of how investments made today will benefit our region, the environment, and our energy efficiency well into the future.”

“This a great moment in the progress of alternative energy on Long Island,” said Assemblyman Marc Alessi. “Powering this green-energy source means more than simply ‘flipping the switch’ on energy as we’ve known it. It represents our commitment to producing clean energy and to creating green jobs here in New York.”
"Thanks to LIPA and their backyard wind initiative, Mr. Rasweiler, the owner of Half Hollow Nursery, and Eastern Energy Systems, the largest wind turbine on Long Island was made in America and is situated right here in Riverhead. Green jobs and industry is the future and a move towards independence from fossil fuels," said Riverhead Councilwoman Jodi Giglio.

"Using the power of wind has a long history on Long Island and is now making a big come-back thanks to forward-thinking Long Island farmers and LIPA's wind rebate program", said Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of the not-for-profit group Renewable Energy Long Island. "Just like the first settlers who built their windmills here, we can tap into this abundant source of local energy and produce clean electricity to power our farms, homes and businesses."

LIPA has made a 10 year, $924 million commitment to investing in energy efficiency and renewable technologies under its Efficiency Long Island program (ELI) which offers a wide array of incentives, rebates and initiatives to LIPA’s residential and commercial customers to assist in reducing their energy usage and thereby lowering electric bills.

LIPA’s Backyard Wind Initiative was introduced in January 2009. The program provides rebates to homeowners, businesses, municipalities, and non-for-profits seeking to harness power from the wind through the use of land-based wind turbines. In addition, program participants may be eligible for a 30% Federal tax credit. This program is consistent with Governor Patterson’s “45 X 15” program, which establishes the goal of New York State meeting 45% of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and renewable sources by the year 2015.

Nearly $2 million was committed to the wind initiative in the LIPA Operating Budget for 2010. For more information on LIPA’s renewable programs log on to http://www.lipower.org/Efficiency/wind-comm.html.

View more photos

Eastern Energy Systems is a renewable energy installation company for solar, wind and geothermal technology based on the North Fork of Long Island, New York that serves the residential, commercial, agricultural, and municipal markets.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2010, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State for frequency of service interruptions, and ranked second for duration of service interruptions. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: http://www.lipower.org.

Media Contact Information
Mark Gross
Phone - (516) 719-9892
Media Pager - (516) 229-7248
media.relations@lipower.org

Multimedia Gallery

Stay Connected