Podcast: Download (50.6MB)

[part 3 of 4]

Challenges To Going Green – The Wayne Township Turbine Hearing.
We are on the verge of yet another frontier in this country and around the world. This episode gives you a glimpse inside the challenges some pioneers are facing today. In episode 3 we met Rob Burke, owner of an eco-friendly car wash in Wayne NJ. Rob is now attempting to add to his eco portfolio by constructing a wind turbine on the car wash property. Although the state has granted him financial incentives he now faces the township to approve the construction. One of the challenges he faces in front of the board is the absence of “experts” in the area of renewable energy.

Mayor Paul Kennedy of Ocean Gate along with Jim Frye make the astute observation that towns need to be more proactive in informing themselves about the realities of clean energy sources. Thanks to “Home Rule” there is also an absence of statewide codes and regulations for structures such as wind turbines. It is still unexplored territory for most town officials so there is some resistance. There are certainly many questions to be asked and answered, but as we saw demonstrated by the ACUA in part 1 of this episode, it is possible to both answer those questions and get renewable energy sources installed when the political will is there.