Rutland
posted
Aug 9, 2012
Signaling the first step in Green Mountain Power's effort to
make Rutland a leading solar-reliant and energy-innovative
community, GMP issued a request for bids (RFP) for a 150-kilowatt
solar farm to be built on a recently rehabilitated brownfield.
"This project will bring the site full-circle," GMP President
and CEO Mary Powell said. "It's an innovative use of the property
and returns it to a productive use that is good for the company,
the community and our customers. And it's in keeping with
GMP's commitment to produce, clean, reliable energy while
respecting our environment."
The RFP, issued August 2 and distributed to all Renewable Energy
Vermont members, seeks a solar developer to take the project, once
permitted by the Vermont Public Service Board, through construction
to interconnection with the electric grid. The project, if
approved, will be nestled onto a company-owned 3-acre lot between
West Street, Cleveland Avenue and East Creek. The project will be
three times the size of the solar site on Route 7 in Rutland
Town. The panels will be placed close together to maximize
site output.
"This site has been under utility control since the start of the
20th Century, and this will be by far the most environmentally
friendly use it has ever hosted," said Steve Costello, GMP's vice
president for generation and energy innovation. "This is a
great example of best-use development, taking what was long a
troubled site in an area of the city where investment has been
minimal, and creating a positive outcome for Rutland and the
neighborhood. The site's appearance will be vastly improved,
and the energy produced will power up to 150 homes at peak."
The property, accessed via Cleveland Avenue, just blocks from
downtown Rutland, was used to produce gas from coal between 1901
and 1947, and was later used by Central Vermont Public Service for
operations and equipment storage and repair. Some locations
within the site were affected by low levels of coal tar residuals
associated with the former gas manufacturing process and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) associated with electrical
transformer storage and maintenance activities conducted as part of
historic site operations.
A cleanup and monitoring plan was approved by state and federal
regulators, with the site approved for new use after completion of
the cleanup last year. Necessary site plan approvals were obtained
from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and the Rutland
Development Review Board.
Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras lauded the plan for its
contributions to GMP's long-term energy vision for Rutland and the
improvement it will make in the low-income neighborhood. "An
investment of this kind on Cleveland Avenue signals that GMP is
committed to this community and that it understands the importance
of site selection for solar sites and its planned Energy Innovation
Center," Louras said. "This will significantly improve the
lot, which has detracted from the neighborhood for quite some
time."
GMP plans to announce the winning bidder Aug. 15, and pending
PSB approval, expects construction to begin early this fall.
Tagged:
Green Mountain Power, Rutland Solar
