BMUA looks to air to supplement power needs
Bayonne Community News|Al Sullivan, senior staff writer|January 26, 2007
Steve Gallo, executive director of the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority, said he is looking for innovative ways to save money for the city, and reduce the cost of his authority's energy needs. One of these ways, he said, is the possibility of installing modern windmills on BMUA controlled land to harness wind gusts off New York Bay to generate power for the Oak Street pump station. "We are trying to use new technology to find ways of saving our energy costs," Gallo said. "This is evident with the recent installation of solar panels in our schools that makes Bayonne the largest non-power company to supply energy on the east coast." Two years ago, the municipal authority in South Plainfield installed a wind-generated turbine to run a station, and with Bayonne surrounded on three sides, Gallo figures he might be able to do the same things. Windmills have also been successfully installed at Atlantic County Utility Authority, and combined with solar panels it generates enough energy to run the plant.
Steve Gallo, executive director of the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority, said he is looking for innovative ways to save money for the city, and reduce the cost of his authority's energy needs. One of these ways, he said, is the possibility of installing modern windmills on BMUA controlled land to harness wind gusts off New York Bay to generate power for the Oak Street pump station. "We are trying to use new technology to find ways of saving our energy costs," Gallo said. "This is evident with the recent installation of solar panels in our schools that makes Bayonne the largest non-power company to supply energy on the east coast." Two years ago, the municipal authority in South Plainfield installed a wind-generated turbine to run a station, and with Bayonne surrounded on three sides, Gallo figures he might be able to do the same things. Windmills have also been successfully installed at Atlantic County Utility Authority, and combined with solar panels it generates enough energy to run the plant.
Steve Gallo, executive director of the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority, said he is looking for innovative ways to save money for the city, and reduce the cost of his authority's energy needs.
One of these ways, he said, is the possibility of installing modern windmills on BMUA controlled land to harness wind gusts off New York Bay to generate power for the Oak Street pump station.
"We are trying to use new technology to find ways of saving our energy costs," Gallo said. "This is evident with the recent installation of solar panels in our schools that makes Bayonne the largest non-power company to supply energy on the east coast."
Two years ago, the municipal authority in South Plainfield installed a wind-generated turbine to …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Steve Gallo, executive director of the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority, said he is looking for innovative ways to save money for the city, and reduce the cost of his authority's energy needs.
One of these ways, he said, is the possibility of installing modern windmills on BMUA controlled land to harness wind gusts off New York Bay to generate power for the Oak Street pump station.
"We are trying to use new technology to find ways of saving our energy costs," Gallo said. "This is evident with the recent installation of solar panels in our schools that makes Bayonne the largest non-power company to supply energy on the east coast."
Two years ago, the municipal authority in South Plainfield installed a wind-generated turbine to run a station, and with Bayonne surrounded on three sides, Gallo figures he might be able to do the same things.
Windmills have also been successfully installed at Atlantic County Utility Authority, and combined with solar panels it generates enough energy to run the plant.
A windmill in Bayonne, Gallo said, could generate 1.3 million kilowatts a year supplying the authority with 75 percent of its needs.
The BMUA could tap the same source the schools did for solar panels for part of the cost of the installation. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has a program that supports development of renewable energy technology such as wind and solar power.
"We're interested in the windmill, but we have to look at siting and the noise," he said. "It is something we're thinking about."
But he stressed the need for the cost not to impact the rate payer.
"This needs to pay for itself," he said.
Gallo said the windmill is one of several ideas that the BMUA is exploring, and he has asked the city council to allow him and the school district to seek out possible contractors that could provide Bayonne with other ideas for using technology to save money.
At its Jan 24 meeting, the City Council is expected to approve the seeking of proposals that would help the BMUA and the Board of Education research and implement such programs.
Gallo said the BMUA and schools would seek additional ways of saving in the past, the city has moved to install LED lighting on the streets and solar panels in the schools.
"But whatever we do must pay for itself," he said. "We don't want to have a negative impact on the taxpayers."
The city council is allowing the BMUA and schools to seek proposals for additional cost saving programs. So by reaching out, the city can get input from companies who may have ideas for additional cost savings.
Another idea the BMUA is looking at involves connecting residential water meters to the Internet, allowing the authority to receive data straight from each house. This would do away with sending meter readers to each home, and have a possible side benefit of giving city residents wireless Internet access.