Going Green…!

Well, after 19 months of trying to get a wind turbine, I still do not have one. The process of going green should not be so difficult. The government should encourage and assist people in their ‘green’ efforts, rather than putting up roadblocks or hindrances to going green. I understand there must be rules, but some of them seem counterproductive. I would not want someone else’s wind mill or wind turbine falling on my property or public road; however, the existing process to have one installed is prohibitive.

I applied for and placed a deposit with a local company for a wind turbine in January 2010, and got my DPNR permit in July 2010. That took longer than it should have, but that was not even the end of the process! I then had to get a wind inspector from St Thomas to come and inspect my property to make sure I had enough wind. Why does he need to ascertain whether or not I have enough wind? I have lived on this property for twenty five years and I know how much wind I have. Well, the inspector was not able to come over for 4 more months, bringing it up to November 2010. The inspector stated that yes, I have good wind, but now I need his letter to continue the process. Well, I didn’t receive his letter until January 2011, and he even hedged in the letter commenting that I have adequate wind, but nonetheless, should have a “wind study” done! Really: I have been studying my wind for years and used to have a weather station; so, he it seems he is covering himself from any future problems.

Next , I had to get a permit from the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, just in case a bird should fly into the wind turbine I can dispose of the bird; and should a number of birds fly into the turbine I must report that fact to the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. What about the birds that already fly into my windows or that my cat occasionally catches? Does that mean everyone with glass windows or who owns a cat must get a permit from Fish and Wildlife to dispose of the dead birds? Where is the common sense of all of this?

The final hurdle was the local company: they were involved with the permit process and knew I was finally close to having all of my permits and paperwork in order. However, they did not yet have the turbine on island. After several e-mails with the company stating they were in the process of getting the turbine, I suddenly stopped getting any updates or responses from the company. I went to their website and it was still active. However, when I called their business phone number, I was advised that the number had been disconnected. I finally did get a cell number for a salesman and did talk to him once: he said he would call me in a week. Well he did not call and now his voicemail is full and not accepting messages. It appears this company went out of business and my deposit paid, in good faith, has not been refunded. Now, it seems that I am almost back to square one: I do have permits, but no wind turbine or any contact to purchase one. Lesson learned is to get references from companies providing the service.

The process of going green should be encouraged by our government, not discouraged by making the process an almost impossible, insurmountable task for the home / business owner, or the turbine suppliers. The government should have the responsibility to expedite the process not slow it down. The value of going green is well documented on so many levels: ecologically, economically, efficiencies, etc., and it is outrageous to me that, after 19 months of jumping through every hoop that was required of me by the various V.I. governmental agencies involved, I am still not ‘green’. This is a very sad situation, indeed.

Susan Kuzenski
St. Croix