August 25, 2008

Boston Sets Rules for Turbines

Boston planners are proposing changes to the city’s zoning code to allow wind turbines in certain areas, Boston Herald reports.

Three separate sets of wind-power regulations to address different turbine categories have been drafted. One sets requirements for wind turbine facilities of 100 kilowatts or more. The others set standards for smaller stand-alone wind turbines and those that will be combined into buildings.

In the proposal, restrictions on a turbine’s height, noise level and vibration amount will be placed, and safety concerns will also be addressed.

But deciding where turbines will be allowed in Boston remains a complicated task, because the city to deal with federal rules due to its international airport - and a limited amount of open land.

In July, Logan Airport announced that its wind turbine installations has saved about one ton of carbon dioxide emissions and is expected to generate about 100,000 KWH a year, or about two percent of the building’s monthly energy use.

Last week, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed to install wind turbines on top of the city’s skyscrapers and bridges, as well as off the coastline of Queens and Brooklyn. However, the proposal is facing criticism from architects, engineers and energy experts.

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