WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced the award of a $300,000 federal grant from the Department of Agriculture to Webb Research of Falmouth, MA to aid in the construction of a new wind turbine.

“I am pleased that the USDA has embraced renewable energy projects that help create an economic opportunity and in turn reduce the energy costs for small businesses in rural communities,” Delahunt said. “I want to commend Dan Webb and everyone involved at Webb Research for their foresight in showing how small companies can play an important role in developing renewable sources of energy.”

This project involves installing one wind turbine at Webb Research Corporation’s location in the Falmouth Technology Park in East Falmouth. The turbine will be approximately 1.5MW with a hub height of 262 feet. The electricity will be used on site by Webb Research and excess electricity will be sold back to the grid. The project is also supported by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative which awarded a design and construction grant of $575,000 for the turbine in 2005.

“We're very grateful for the USDA grant, as well as support from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.   There's intense competition for these grants, so being selected gives our project real credibility,” said Webb. “We have an ideal location for a wind turbine, a remote hilltop in an industrial park, with no residential abutters.  Pollution-free renewable energy reduces the flow of US energy dollars to foreign nations, and this project can prevent emission of over 1000 tons per year of carbon dioxide from fossil-fueled generators in New England.”

These funds are being awarded through USDA’s Office of Rural Development Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program. It provides financial assistance to rural small businesses to help install renewable energy generation systems or make energy efficiency improvements. 

Webb Research expects to apply to the Town of Falmouth Zoning Board of Appeals this fall for a local permit and is partially through the state and federal processes. Webb Research Corporation is a family owned business with 28 employees founded in 1982.

-30-