Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Friday, June 25, 2010
Quick Article Index . . .
Westport’s Aerostar calls out NSTAR.
Is art alive and well in Westport?
Westport’s Mary Burns has a recital.
Westport’s Aerostar calls out NSTAR.
Letter to the Editor
Monday, June 21, 2010
“In the June 8 edition of The Herald News, NSTAR commented on the small wind turbines at Noquochoke
Orchards in Westport. Because of onerous and expensive requirements by NSTAR, the three turbines
remain still. In his letter to the editor, NSTAR spokesman Michael Durand said NSTAR is proud of its
reputation as a champion of renewable energy. A champion is someone who fights for, defends or
supports a cause. Let us take a look at how NSTAR has championed the interconnection of the turbines
at Noquochoke.
Related story.
No spin zone at Noquochoke Orchards. Read more with photos.
“They’re not turning,” orchard operator George Smith told WJAR Channel 10 reporter R.J. Heim. “It’s
been three months and it’s always the same answer from NStar; we’ll get a decision to you in two
weeks!”
Last July, we sent
letters to NSTAR
expressing concern
over the burdensome
and costly policies
NSTAR was imposing
on people wishing to
interconnect small
induction wind
turbines. We asked for
clarification of
NSTAR’s position so
we would be able to
inform our clients
regarding NSTAR
policies and the cost
of interconnection.
One of our questions
related to NSTAR’s
demand for a “utility
grade relay.” We did
not understand how
NSTAR could require
the use of a utility
grade relay when the
term was not found in
the Massachusetts
regulations governing
interconnection. We
also asked about the
application fee, which
is based on a
minimum turbine size
of 100 KW, 10 times
the size of the
Noquochoke turbines.
We asked about other
fees, such as
engineering fees,
supplemental review fees, witness test fees and travel time fees, all of which add up to thousands of
dollars. NSTAR also demands submission of plans signed by a Massachusetts licensed electrical
engineer, likely to add thousands more to the interconnection cost.
Until a few weeks ago, the only response was a cryptic e-mail primarily concerned with the
interconnection requirements in New York state, which have no effect in Massachusetts, so NSTAR’s
response was meaningless. How does NSTAR’s ignoring customer requests for clarification champion
renewables?
“Small induction wind turbines are inherently safe, even without
expensive relays. In the real world, the chances of one of these
turbines back-feeding the grid approaches infinity. NSTAR was
asked if it could provide one instance in which a small induction
turbine caused injury or damage. They have not provided a single
example.” – Paul L. Gay
NSTAR did not respond until a couple of weeks ago, nearly a year after our initial requests, and only after
political and media pressure. Most of our questions were ignored and remain unanswered. The response
was largely the result of Rep. Michael Rodrigues’ tireless efforts to help the orchard. Others have also
helped. In spite of these efforts, the turbines are still not connected.
NSTAR’s letter states safety of its customers and the reliability of the electric system are of paramount
importance. We agree — that’s why our system has a UL listed safety relay. NSTAR has stated our
protective relay is not UL listed even though they had documents in their possession that clearly show it
is. Our relay has been accepted by many utility companies in the U.S. Its quality and safety have never
been questioned, except by NSTAR. In other states, our turbines were interconnected without delays and
without expensive fees. These utility companies really do champion renewables. Aerostar, a
Massachusetts-based small wind turbine manufacturer, finds support for its technology in other states,
but not in its own.
It was pointed out to NSTAR that one of our early turbine designs was interconnected to the NSTAR
system from about 1980 through 2008 without a single safety incident. Because safety relays were not
required at the time, this turbine had no safety relays. If the turbine really did represent a hazard to public
safety, why didn’t NSTAR take steps to install their special “utility grade” relays? Doesn’t NSTAR have a
safety obligation to the public, or does it only require this of others?
Small induction wind turbines are inherently safe, even without expensive relays. In the real world, the
chances of one of these turbines back-feeding the grid approaches infinity. NSTAR was asked if it could
provide one instance in which a small induction turbine caused injury or damage. They have not provided
a single example.
NSTAR claims it must follow “statewide safety standards” and that it cannot apply the standards to some
installations and not others. NSTAR’s flawed logic is that it insists on applying the same standards to a
tiny 10-KW home generator as a multi-megawatt, utility-scale generator. For a megawatt-sized turbine,
spending $5,000 or $10,000 on interconnection fees and equipment might amount to 0.03 percent of the
total cost. For a 10 KW generator, interconnection fees being imposed by NSTAR could amount to onethird the cost of the turbine. It makes small induction wind turbines uneconomical in Massachusetts. The
result is that homeowners in Massachusetts who want to support renewables and local companies that
sell and install small wind systems are being deprived of choice.
Thanks to the foresight of our state government, Massachusetts has excellent financial incentives for
small wind turbines. However, the huge interconnection costs being imposed by NSTAR largely negate
these benefits. Because the incentives paid to small wind turbine owners come from public trust funds,
wasting this enormous amount of money on unnecessary interconnection costs and enriching NSTAR
shareholders with application and other fees is a misappropriation of public funds.
The interconnection rules in our state give NSTAR the freedom to approve alternative equipment and
methods. NSTAR has chosen to ignore this provision and apply the same standards to a homeowner’s
wind turbine as it does to a utility scale turbine. In fact, Durand implies the farmers at Noquochoke
Orchard are “developers,” as if they were installing their turbines as a profit-making venture instead of
using the turbines to offset their electrical usage. Before NSTAR is able to actually champion renewables,
it will need to learn to provide support, not place obstacles in the way of folks who invest their life savings
in renewables because they are trying to create a better environment for their children and the children of
others.
At a recent meeting with NSTAR, we suggested they allow our UL listed protective relay be used at the
orchard. We suggested they monitor the system and use it as an educational tool. We offered to allow
them to install their own protective relay if they so desired. We suggested this would ease the financial
burden on our clients, and NSTAR would have the opportunity to actually participate and work on a green
project. Everyone involved would benefit. Although this was an opportunity for NSTAR to actually
champion renewables, not just talk about it, our offer was declined.
NSTAR reported profits in 2009 of more than $250 million. Some of this money likely came from fees
imposed as a result of the interconnection of renewables. If we think of money as green, then there would
seem to be little doubt that NSTAR is indeed a green company. In the case of NSTAR’s being a
champion of renewables, they have shown their true colors, and it is not any shade of green.”
Paul L. Gay
Aerostar, Inc.
Westport
Is art alive and well in Westport?
EverythingWestport.com
Friday, June 25, 2010
View hi-resolution photo album.
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Yes, and its selling briskly at the
Central Village Art Gallery,
located at Village Commons, 770
Main Road, Westport. Some of the
area’s most talented artisans are
displaying quality paintings,
sculptures, pottery and furniture
that sure to turn your head. Just
visit the new Central Village Art
Gallery for quality art at
reasonable prices.
Left: Thom Scott, furniture maker.
Now open, the exhibition will run through September 12,
Labor Day. Featuring area artisans, the gallery builds on
the success of last December’s holiday season, and will
display artists Jane O'Hara, Nancy Shand, Phyllis Dobbyn
Adams, Kris Donovan, Trish Hurley, Debra Lee Valeri,
Patricia Walsh, Don Cadoret, Sue Waring Prideaux, Janice
Sexton, Denise Zompa, Barbara Chadwick, Wayne Fuerst,
and Christine Bean. Also featured will be photographer
Karen Raus and furniture maker Thom Scott. Located next
to Sticks, Stones & Stars.
http://www.centralvillageartgallery.blogspot.com/
The opening reception was Friday June 25th from 5:00 –
8:00 p.m. Come on down and say hi, and see why Westport
is home to the finest artisans on New England’s southcoast!
Left: Janice Sexton
Right: Debra Lee Valeri
Above: Wayne Fuerst, master potter, of Sticks, Stones & Stars
Westport’s Mary Burns has a recital.
EverythingWestport.com
Monday, June 21, 2010
Westport’s much loved piano and singing instructor, Mary Burns, held her annual piano recital Saturday,
June 21 in the spacious lobby of the Sakonnet Bay Retirement Living in Tiverton to a capacity crowd of
parents and guests. From Johann Sebastian Bach to the Beatles, they covered it all.
35 of Ms. Burns’ students, mostly from Westport and Little Compton, played selected pieces, some quite
complicated, and all very well performed. “I cherish these events,” Ms. Burns said. “It inspires my students
and gives them a chance to play and receive compliments for their efforts.”
“I never had a student I didn’t like,” Ms. Burns said. “I have had several children who started with me at
seven years old, and stay on until they go to college. That’s when I really miss their smiling faces.”
Ms. Burns has been holding these recitals since 1985, and has watched her students mature physically
and musically over the years under her tutelage. “I remember them all,” Ms. Burns said. “They are all
special to me.”
.
For more information or to reach Mary Burns, please call (508) 636-5777.
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