WIND TOWER STATEMENT

There is No Such Thing as “Free Electricity”

During a recent Town Board Public Forum, I was reminded that I had indicated that I would post a statement, regarding an apparent misconception some residents have, that wind towers would provide residents with “free electricity.” 

Regrettably, like the cliché that there is “no free lunch,” to my knowledge, there is no “free electricity.”  In my research, I have found that any electricity produced by industrial wind towers is sold to the ISO (Independent System Operator).  An exception to that might be a company or municipality which operates their private wind generating system.   In that case, I would presume that any electricity generated would be used for the company’s or municipality’s purposes, which might be construed as “free electricity.”  Of course, even that isn’t free as the company has the capital investment of the generating system plus the cost to operate it. 

An article in December 12, 2006, THE DAILY NEWS, a newspaper which serves the Town of Alabama, may have also contributed to the misconception.  In that article, it stated that “Neighbors (a residence located within 2,500 feet of a windmill) will receive annual payments equal to an average household’s electric bill or approximately $1,000.”

Although the wind is still “free,” there is still no “free lunch” or to my knowledge, “free electricity.”  I hope that this clarifies the misconception.

Denny Roach, Town Supervisor

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