Group eyes renewable energy ideas

CAPE VINCENT — A local group interested in developing renewable energy opportunities isn't stopping with wind.

The St. Lawrence River Public Power Association, which won a $99,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study for a community wind farm in the town, met Thursday night to discuss some other renewable energy options.

"We do need some other source of energy that wouldn't pollute and not carry the political tension," said Hester M. Chase, organizer of the association.

The session was organized by the Black River-St. Lawrence Resource Conservation and Development Council.

"The overall goal is trying to get people to realize their carbon footprint. That encourages people to find out what they can do more individually," association member David LaMora said.

The group divided into teams to look at the benefits and costs of on-site small solar and wind, anaerobic digesters and biomass production, as well as conservation. The teams will report back at the next association meeting.

"We need a better idea of the incentives and the cost if we're talking about private homes," Charles J. Moehs said. "We need to really get the information together — what is it going to take on a private home or a public building?"

The group talked about the possibility of partnering with the town or Thousand Islands Central School District.

The idea of an anaerobic digester to turn manure from dairy farms into electricity captured the group's attention as well.

"Farmers would be getting something for their manure and have an improved fertilizer after processing," Ms. Chase said.

The group also gravitated toward biomass and researching the best fuels, whether willow, switchgrass or another product that could be grown in what are now empty fields.

The next meeting of the association will be 6 p.m. April 15 at the Cape Vincent Community Library, 157 Real St.