Gov. Shumlin Visits State Solar Project, Announces New Renewable Energy Goal

Joined by business leaders and state officials, Gov. Peter Shumlin today visited a 500 kilowatt solar net metering project at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility, the first of ten planned solar projects that will power state buildings.
The projects are part of an initiative the Governor announced in September of 2013 to deploy 5 megawatts of solar that will increase the state’s use of renewable energy while saving taxpayers on state energy costs.
“Today we are celebrating the construction of the first of ten solar projects that demonstrate leadership by example for state government when it comes to using renewable energy for our own buildings and facilities,” the Governor said. “These projects help cut carbon emissions while saving taxpayers money, and critically they also supports jobs at Vermont manufacturing companies.”
The project at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility is using solar trackers made by AllEarth Renewables of Williston, and the trackers in turn feature components manufactured by NSA Industries of St. Johnsbury.
"This initiative demonstrates why solar is so good for the Vermont.  It is saving taxpayer money, creating good local jobs, keeping electric costs down, and doing right for future generations by producing long-term clean, renewable energy," said Andrew Savage, Chief Strategy Officer at AllEarth Renewables.  "Projects like this, where we can see our locally made trackers helping our state and our community, brings it all home for us for why we are in business. We look forward to the next year of projects coming online for the State and commend the Administration's leadership making state facilities among the greenest in the country."
“As a Vermont metal fabrication and machining manufacturer, NSA is pleased to be an integral supply chain partner to AllEarth Renewables for the past five years,” said Jim Moroney, CEO of NSA Industries LLC. “In addition, it is especially satisfying for us to play a part in this alternative energy initiative and for us to see our work product being utilized locally at the Northeast Correctional Complex.” 
Upon completion, the ten 500 kilowatt solar projects are projected to save taxpayers $2.5 million in energy costs over twenty years, while producing 7 million kilowatt hours per year of clean electricity.
“With 5 megawatts of solar energy now under development for state facilities, I am pleased to announce today that we are setting a new goal for an additional 5 megawatts of solar to move more of our state buildings to locally-produced renewable energy,” said Gov. Shumlin. “Over the coming months, my Administration will be examining whether we can site additional state net metering projects, and whether we can pursue solar for state buildings through a public-private partnership with one or more of our utilities.”
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http://governor.vermont.gov/newsroom-prison-solar-power-state-buildings-...