WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today called the Town of Hull a "national model" for energy independence as he joined with state and local officials to dedicate a new wind energy turbine and announce a new community-based offshore wind initiative. 

At ceremonies to dedicate Hull Wind II, the town’s second wind energy turbine, Delahunt said, "Hull has not only put itself on the path to energy independence, but also has created a national model on how to involve the community in developing successful wind energy projects along our coastline."

The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by over 150 local residents and officials. The project was developed by the Hull Light Board in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts. Hull Wind II also received the support of the Hull Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting. 

The new 1.8 megawatt turbine was built on top of the town’s former landfill and will produce approximately 5 million kilowatt hours of energy a year, sufficient enough to provide electricity for about 750 homes.  Together, the two wind turbines will provide 13% of the community’s electricity.  The current charge for Hull municipal electricity customers is 8 cents a kilowatt hour.

Hull is one of forty-two communities in the Commonwealth that have a municipal electricity department.

New Offshore Wind Energy

At the ceremony, Delahunt joined with state officials to announce that Hull will receive $1.7 million in financing from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for a new offshore wind energy project. 

The funds will be used by Hull officials for studies and plans that will be ultimately submitted to Hull voters for final approval.  While the Commonwealth will still need to give the final green-light on the project, the Congressman praised the town for its commitment to involve community input in all stages of the process. 

"Our success in developing coastal wind energy is based on community involvement and local decision-making, while respecting designated marine conservation areas," Delahunt said.

It’s estimated that the proposed offshore wind farm will take twenty-four months to complete.  When combined with the existing turbines, the new facility is expected to provide 100% of the town’s electricity -- making it the first offshore wind project in Massachusetts, and Hull one of the first to approach "energy independence". 
 

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