Renewable energy has been a hot topic at select board meetings around Vermont this year. Many towns have discussed undertaking net metering projects to power municipal buildings. Net metering allows customers with their own renewable energy infrastructure to sell unused power back to the grid. Most municipal discussions, however, have focused on solar energy.
In Hinesburg, this week, the select board is considering taking on a different kind of renewable energy project. Hinesburg Director of Buildings & Facilities Rocky Martin has been investigating the feasibility of installing a mini-hydro power turbine to generate electricity at the Water Department's Cemetery Pump House.
On the agenda for Monday night's meeting was a vote to expend money from the Water Department's reserve fund to examine possible options. Those options were outlined in a proposal from the South Burlington company EcoStrategies, regarding a feasibility study for the development of an in-conduit hydropower system. Options include using the existing pump as a turbine by adding more controls and a meter, or installing a new small turbine generator.
The feasibility study proposal was for up to $10,000 in services, billed by the hour. The board opted to allocate $4,000 for the time being, according to Town Administrator Joe Colangelo.
