Patrick-Murray Administration Breaks Ground on Kingston Wind Turbine Program to Boost State's Energy Efficiency

KINGSTON -- Tuesday, October 25, 2011 -- Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary Richard A. Davey today joined state and local officials to break ground on the Kingston Wind Turbine Program at the Kingston Layover Facility, a 100-kilowatt wind turbine that will power 65 percent of the Kingston commuter rail station's energy supply. The $2.5 million project is funded through President Obama's 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and builds on the Patrick-Murray Administration's efforts to invest in transportation infrastructure and create a more energy efficient Commonwealth.

"We have made strategic investments in our clean energy infrastructure to create jobs and build a healthier Commonwealth for generations to come," said Governor Deval Patrick. "Massachusetts is the national leader in energy efficiency and projects like the Kingston Wind Turbine will help us carry that torch well into the future."

“By leveraging federal stimulus funding, we are able to move forward with this innovative project that will support our administration’s clean energy initiatives, while also creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and generating savings for our transportation system,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.

Funded through a $2.5 million ARRA Transit Investments Generating Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reductions (TIGGER) grant, the 120-foot-tall turbine will power up to 65 percent of the station's energy supply to the parking lot, station platforms, and plug--ins for locomotives. Also funded under the grant is a second 300-kilowatt turbine to be installed along the commuter rail tracks in Bridgewater this spring. “With the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to leading the country on clean energy initiatives, MassDOT is leading by example with a commitment to advancing environmental technologies,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Rich Davey.

Due to recent advances in technology as well as changes in the financial structure of renewable energy, wind energy is quickly becoming a more cost competitive energy source when compared to fossil fuel sources of energy. Once installed, the two wind turbines will save the T approximately $100,000 annually in electricity costs.

"Under the leadership of Secretary Davey we continue to identify opportunities to adopt new energy sources,” said Acting MBTA General Manager Jon Davis. “Wind energy is an efficient, cost competitive power source that we need to explore and use to our advantage.”

“MassDOT recognizes the need to place wind turbines away from residential areas and this project is an example of how to correctly move forward with renewable energy in our communities,” said Senate President Therese Murray. “Whichever nation leads the green and renewable energy revolution will have major economic advantage in the 21st century and Massachusetts should be on the front lines of the energy revolution.”

“Wind energy projects like this are helping cities, towns and organizations across the Commonwealth develop diverse sources of clean renewable energy," said Energy Undersecretary Barbara Kates-Garnick. "With the support of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and federal stimulus funding, the MBTA is leading by example in making wind power part of their sustainable energy future.”

Awarded to SPS New England, the wind turbine will be constructed on a parcel of land on the north side of the commuter rail tracks between the maintenance and substation structures. Construction will begin immediately and includes, structural and mechanical support for the site preparation and foundation installation; electrical and communications support for the installation of the transformer and interconnections; and the erection and commissioning of the turbine.

On October 20, 2011, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy announced that Massachusetts has been named number one in energy efficiency based on an annual state-by-state scorecard. Massachusetts topped California in the ranking for the first time, thanks to the Patrick-Murray Administration’s clean energy agenda, which includes the Green Communities Act of 2008 and other innovative programs and policies to save energy and create jobs.

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