BAYONNE —With the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority poised to begin construction on its first windmill to help power its sewerage plant and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey planning as many as six more for its property in and around Bayonne, the city could become the largest producer of air-generated power outside of Atlantic City.
Steve Gallo, executive director of the BMUA, said that land has been cleared near its 5th Street facility that would allow the construction of a windmill. Half of the $5.6 million cost will be paid out of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The project would also receive an $866,000 rebate from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. When fully operational, the city could save as much as $170,000 annually from receiving renewable energy credits and the BMUA could also sell any extra energy generated for even more revenue.
Gallo said studies show that the site can generate enough wind to operate the turbine, and while the city may consider more in the future if suitable sites are found, the Port Authority apparently has plans for as many as six for its properties.