Q and A: Politics and Outreach

One audience member brought up a point about energy units - nameplate capacity of wind power projects versus actual production of megawatt-hours (which depends on the wind blowing, for wind turbines). Of course, one of the strong arguments for offshore wind power is that turbines generate at or near their nameplate capacity for a greater proportion of the time.

Q: How should a power developer approach a community?
A: Three different panelists generally endorse reaching out to all members of the community first. Don't come in with an aura of invincibility, or of inevitability. Invite participation.

Q: An observation that Hull's two projects were developed by the town, without outside developers.
John Meschino: Wind power began with an experimental project at the high school. Then the municipal power company installed two utility-scale turbines that now generate about 10% of the town's power. Both turbines paid for with town money. The current project is much larger and thus will require outside financing.

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