Bennington, VT — The town has given its blessing to a solar project that is projected to save it $750,000 in electrical costs over a 25-year period.
The Select Board voted unanimously Monday to enter into a net-metering agreement with Encore Renewable Energy, a Burlington company, to build a 500 kw solar facility off Route 7, across from the Bennington County Sheriff’s Department.
Under the agreement, the town will receive a 15 percent discount on the net metering credits produced by the project over the 25-year life of the contract.
Encore still has to file for a certificate of public good with the Vermont Public Service Board, which oversees energy generation projects.
A new law, however, has given the town the ability to impose its own screening requirements that the Public Service Board must enforce. The Select Board and Encore are both in agreement over this project’s screening plan.
This project was first outlined for the board in October by Derek Moretz, vice president of development for Encore. He said for the project to be in the net metering program it has to designate a customer to receive the credits. In this case, it’s the Bennington Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Full story – http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_29641498/bennington-vt-select-board-approves-solar-project-projected