St. Mary's Gov. Clears Path for Wind Energy Systems

[kristopher]

St. Mary's Gov. Clears Path for Wind Energy Systems

LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Dec. 17, 2008) -- The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County on Tuesday approved a text amendment that permits small wind energy systems to be constructed and utilized in all zoning districts. Systems may generate no more than 100 kilowatts and the electricity must only be consumed on-site.

Under the new amendment, one wind turbine will be permitted as an accessory for use by homes, farms, or small businesses with building permit and site plan approval. The systems will have height requirements, depending upon the size of lots and setback requirements.

The new amendment also allows personnel from Naval Air Station Patuxent River to review the building permit to determine if the proposed tower will interfere with "military activities." The provision allows the military to nix the approval of the permit.

The provision that requires the wind-generated electricity to be consumed only on-site means that the wind turbine owner may not sell the power commercially, according to Susan McCauley, Department of Land Use and Growth Management. " can be connected to the SMECO grid and SMECO already has a program in place to handle this," said McCauley in an emailed response....

http://somd.com/news/headlines/2008/9019.shtml

[JaneQPublic]

1. I live in St. Mary's County.

I was pleasantly surprised to read this in the local paper. However, I'll be interested to see if the local Navy base does make an issue of any wind turbines that go up. The only instances when personal-use wind turbines would be in the way of their aircraft would be if the aircraft were where they ought not be in the first place.

Thanks for posting this.

[kristopher]

2. It is rare for the military to object.

In fact, they have several very large turbines at Gitmo.

[thrift_store_angel]

3. *waving*

I am in Charles County.

[PoiBoy]

4. This is great news...!

..and should be a template for the future of individual energy independence...

<snip>
Systems may generate no more than 100 kilowatts and the electricity must only be consumed on-site.

Under the new amendment, one wind turbine will be permitted as an accessory for use by homes, farms, or small businesses with building permit and site plan approval. The systems will have height requirements, depending upon the size of lots and setback requirements.
<end>

It should be the consumer's choice whether or not to be connected to "The Grid"

Thanks for posting this...!


:hi: