Draft Horse to Help Usher in New Energy Era in Southern Maryland
WHITE PLAINS, Md., April 20 /PRNewswire/—The first wind turbine at a
commercial location (and the second turbine in Charles County) in Southern
Maryland will rise behind The Prime Street Grille restaurant on Route 301 in
White Plains, about 25 miles southeast of the nation's capital.
The ceremonial groundbreaking will take place on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at Noon. It is expected that the turbine will rise later this summer following various approvals from Charles County. "King," the draft horse of a nearby farmer will be used to help hoist the turbine into place. King was also an integral part of raising the county's first wind turbine, The Windmill on the Potomac at Swan Point. "It's a symbol from one era to another...from horsepower to wind power," says Ken Robinson who inaugurated Southern Maryland's first residential wind turbine which has been generating electricity for more than a year.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to provide an alternative to traditional means of generating electricity," says Tony Graham co-owner of The Prime Street Grille, a casual restaurant and pub specializing in steaks and seafood that has been in business since October, 2008. Co-Owner Nick White added, "We hope that by being the first commercial establishment with a turbine, it will open the door for many in the region to do something similar."
The project has received support from the state of Maryland. "The Maryland Energy Administration is pleased that this wind turbine is being raised to open a new way of life in Charles County, and we hope this will provide an example to others throughout our State," says Ross Tyler, Director of Clean Energy for Maryland.
Dr. Carlos Fernandez, owner of Potomac Wind Energy in Dickerson, Md. which will be installing the ReDriven 20kw wind turbine said, "The location of the Prime Street Turbine is excellent because it has a clear view of the Northwest which is the direction the most prevalent winds come from. Our survey indicates it is a viable spot for wind generation."
The Prime Street Grille has received support for the project from customers, neighbors as well as Maryland State Senator Thomas "Mac" Middleton. "Every kilowatt of energy conserved through energy efficiency or produced through renewable energy is one less kilowatt expended and less pollution to our environment," Middleton said in a prepared statement.
Attending the ceremony will be members of the Environmental Club from the nearby Dr. Gustav Brown Elementary School in Waldorf. The fourth and fifth graders' mission is to improve their school's environmental awareness.
RELATED INFORMATION:
The Windmill on the Potomac to Rise March 11th, March 09, 2009
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2009/9584.shtml
Marylanders Negotiate Government Rules to Install Windmills, November 23, 2008
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2008/8846.shtml