Brookhaven officials are considering a proposal to build large-scale renewable green energy facilities on as many as 15 town-owned sites over the next two years.
Supervisor Ed Romaine this week unveiled the "Take the Town Green" plan at Brookhaven Town Hall. If approved, the proposal could net the town an estimated $40 million to $50 million over the next 20 years.
Romaine plan's primary component is a private-public partnership with solar developer American Capital Energy to construct solar panel arrays and small-scale wind turbine sites at town-operated facilities.
"This is by far the most sweeping renewable energy plan on Long Island and puts the town on a green path to rely less on foreign sources of fuel and to reduce our carbon footprint," Romaine said.
The town board was scheduled to vote Tuesday night on whether to allow the town attorney to enter contract negotiations with American Capital. The full proposal, if implemented, would generate up to 50 megawatts of alternating current electricity, enough to power 8,400 homes.
The developer would sell the energy produced to LIPA through a Power Purchase Agreement with the utility company.
Each of the proposed sites will include at least one, or a combination of ground, roof or car port solar panel arrays with some having wind turbines. In addition, a plane port solar array is being proposed for Calabro Airport in Shirley.
The 15 town-owned sites proposed are:
- Brookhaven Town Hall
- Manorville Compost Facility
- Waste Management Complex (Yaphank Landfill)
- Holtsville Park Ecology Center
- Moriches Athletic Complex
- Centereach Pool
- Vehicle Control Building
- Calabro Airport in Shirley
- Brookhaven Amphitheater
- Medford Athletic Complex
- Percy Raynor Memorial Park
- Martha Avenue Recreation Complex
- Mastic Aquatic Center and Skate Park (optional)
- Cedar Beach (optional)
- Corey Beach (optional)
In addition, 10 solar fueling stations are proposed for Town Hall to allow residents to charge the batteries in electric powered vehicles.
The project, once completed, would be the larger in megawatts than the 200-acre solar farm at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
