MONROE - Wind power probably won't be a viable option for the Monroe school district.
That's the conclusion school officials reached after studying the possibility of constructing a wind turbine for the school district. The district investigated using wind power after Drs. John and Mary Frantz offered the district a $50,000 interest-free loan to be used for projects to improve energy efficiency. They likewise made a similar offer to the city, for a $250,000 loan. The payback period on both was to be five years.
The district began looking at wind power at the suggestion of the Frantzes shortly after the offer was made in January 2006. A feasibility study showed "the payback period wasn't going to be beneficial," business manager Ron Olson said.
One factor making wind power unrealistic is the cost of equipment, said Tom Rufenacht, building and grounds supervisor for the district. Turbines considered ranged from $518,000 to $1.2 million, but the price tag jumped to $745,000 to $1.8 million with associated installation costs.
Wind speeds in Monroe also were a factor. A study from 2006 showed the average wind speed in Monroe is about 13.1 miles per hour. Wind speeds should average about 14 mph for adequate wind generation, although they can go as low as 12 mph.
The district looked at other options, such as securing grants or purchasing a used turbine, to make wind power more cost-effective. To date, it hasn't found anything that will make using a wind turbine feasible, Olson said.
However, a current piece of legislation may provide an incentive to take another look at windpower. Assembly Bill 625 would approve issuing zero-interest loans to school districts for wind power. That may encourage school districts to join forces to purchase equipment to keep costs down, Olson said.
"It may open some more door for us," he said.
AB 625 was approved on a voice vote Jan. 15. It is now before the Senate education committee.
Monroe city officials said the Frantz offer to the city was discussed in late 2006, but nothing more was done.
"We didn't know if we had a site that would fit," City Administrator Mark Vahlsing said. "There was just not a place to put it, and then the installation costs were too high."
No one has approached Green County Zoning about wind farms, according to Zoning Administrator Adam Wiegel, but the county does have an ordinance in place.
Green County Corporation Counsel Bill Morgan said the County Board began to look at the issue in early 2004.
"At that time there was some talk about a possible wind farm coming to the county, so the board wanted to have some input," Morgan said.
Morgan said the ordinance mainly dealt with location of a wind turbine in relation to other residences and subdivisions, as well as how many could be built. The county ordinance allows for one turbine on a five-acre parcel of land. It also regulates how high the towers can be.
The county also wanted to set requirements for emergency service.
"We don't want to keep them out, but we do want to make sure they are in the right place and that we have regulations," Morgan said.
- Times reporters
Tere Dunlap and Brian Gray
contributed to this story
That's the conclusion school officials reached after studying the possibility of constructing a wind turbine for the school district. The district investigated using wind power after Drs. John and Mary Frantz offered the district a $50,000 interest-free loan to be used for projects to improve energy efficiency. They likewise made a similar offer to the city, for a $250,000 loan. The payback period on both was to be five years.
The district began looking at wind power at the suggestion of the Frantzes shortly after the offer was made in January 2006. A feasibility study showed "the payback period wasn't going to be beneficial," business manager Ron Olson said.
One factor making wind power unrealistic is the cost of equipment, said Tom Rufenacht, building and grounds supervisor for the district. Turbines considered ranged from $518,000 to $1.2 million, but the price tag jumped to $745,000 to $1.8 million with associated installation costs.
Wind speeds in Monroe also were a factor. A study from 2006 showed the average wind speed in Monroe is about 13.1 miles per hour. Wind speeds should average about 14 mph for adequate wind generation, although they can go as low as 12 mph.
The district looked at other options, such as securing grants or purchasing a used turbine, to make wind power more cost-effective. To date, it hasn't found anything that will make using a wind turbine feasible, Olson said.
However, a current piece of legislation may provide an incentive to take another look at windpower. Assembly Bill 625 would approve issuing zero-interest loans to school districts for wind power. That may encourage school districts to join forces to purchase equipment to keep costs down, Olson said.
"It may open some more door for us," he said.
AB 625 was approved on a voice vote Jan. 15. It is now before the Senate education committee.
Monroe city officials said the Frantz offer to the city was discussed in late 2006, but nothing more was done.
"We didn't know if we had a site that would fit," City Administrator Mark Vahlsing said. "There was just not a place to put it, and then the installation costs were too high."
No one has approached Green County Zoning about wind farms, according to Zoning Administrator Adam Wiegel, but the county does have an ordinance in place.
Green County Corporation Counsel Bill Morgan said the County Board began to look at the issue in early 2004.
"At that time there was some talk about a possible wind farm coming to the county, so the board wanted to have some input," Morgan said.
Morgan said the ordinance mainly dealt with location of a wind turbine in relation to other residences and subdivisions, as well as how many could be built. The county ordinance allows for one turbine on a five-acre parcel of land. It also regulates how high the towers can be.
The county also wanted to set requirements for emergency service.
"We don't want to keep them out, but we do want to make sure they are in the right place and that we have regulations," Morgan said.
- Times reporters
Tere Dunlap and Brian Gray
contributed to this story