The borough has applied for two Department of Environmental Protection grants, each for $168,000, to fund a proposed $173,000 windmill and solar electric system. The borough would pay $5,000 toward the overall cost. Borough Manager Dave Montz said if one or both grants are awarded, the total amount will not exceed $168,000. Council President Mark Sampogna said, however, he is unsure if council will approve the project, even if funding is secured. The height of proposed installation, 100-feet to 120-feet, could have a negative impact on the appearance of the park, he said.

The state will play a major role in deciding whether a windmill is installed at Green Tree Park to generate electrici ty and help with the borough's energy costs.

The borough has applied for two Department of Environmental Protection grants, each for $168,000, to fund a proposed $173,000 windmill and solar electric system. The borough would pay $5,000 toward the overall cost.

Borough Manager Dave Montz said if one or both grants are awarded, the total amount will not exceed $168,000.

Council President Mark Sampogna said, however, he is unsure if council will approve the project, even if funding is secured.

The height of proposed installation, 100-feet to 120-feet, could have a negative impact on the appearance of the park, he said.

Talk of a windmill came up in October of 2007, when Vox Energy Solutions, of McCandless, approached the borough about installing a windmill at the park behind Aiken Elementary School.

Its purpose would be to generate electricity to offset the borough's $5,000 annual electricity costs at the park for its walking track, parking lot, ballfield lights, rest rooms and concession buildings.

It would also reduce the borough's overall electricity bill by selling over-generated electricity to Duquesne Light.

As part of a recently completed six-month study, a wind monitoring device was erected to determine if that site was feasible for a windmill.

Jason Clark, director of renewable energy systems for VOX, said the study revealed there is not as much wind in the area as was believed.

"We were a little disappointed. We thought there was a good, consistent source of wind up there that would provide us with energy savings,'' Mr. Sampogna said.

As a result, the company proposed a hybrid system with a windmill and a solar electric system.

With the latter, sunlight striking semiconducting material is used to produce electricity.

The solar electric system would be placed on the roof of the garage structure at the park.

Mr. Clark, who prefers the term wind turbine to windmill, said the size of the wind turbine would be roughly 25-feet in width and 100-feet to 120-feet in height.

Mr. Sampogna said while council likes the idea of a windmill "given the energy situation in the country, it is not super impressed with the payback because it will take a few years to break even on the initial investment.

There are also technological factors to weigh.

With technology advancing at rapid rates, he said, it might it be better to wait for a more advanced, and maybe cheaper, solar electric system.

The borough expects to learn later this year whether its proposal will be awarded funding.

Margaret Smykla is a freelance writer.

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