While municipal efforts are just launching, private investments in conservation and renewable energy in Newburyport are flourishing. Most notably is the major investment of a wind turbine at Mark Richey Woodworking in Newburyport’s Industrial Park, along the Clipper City Rail Trail. Mark Richey, President of Mark Richey Woodworking, says that after nearly two years of operation, his wind turbine is currently generating about 800 megawatt hours annually now which is about 70 % of Mark Richey Woodworking’s total electric consumption. At this rate, and assuming a constant price of electricity, the wind turbine will achieve a return on investment in approximately six or seven more years.
In addition to generating the majority of their own clean electricity, the entire production facility is heated with their own wood waste utilizing a super efficient, automated bio-mass furnace. That $500K investment and will pay for itself in fuel savings and avoided landfill costs in about 10 to 12 years after having it in operation for approximately four years. They have also invested in a super efficient computerized gate system for dust collection which saves about $20k a year in electricity. While difficult to monetize, Mark Richey Woodworking has also spent a relatively small amount of money for a lot of insulating and sealing of the building envelope which has made a big difference in heati
ng and cooling.
When asked if he had any regrets or disappointments regarding his huge investments in energy conservation and clean energy generation, Mr. Richey responded, “Not really, everything we have done to conserve energy, invest in renewable energy and be more efficient has been effective and worth the investment in my opinion, not just from a business perspective but also because we feel good about being better stewards of our environment and leader in our industry and community.”
Though there have been some costs beyond the financial. “It has been a lot of work … and at times it’s been a big distraction from our primary business,” he added.
Rep. John Tierney, Mayor Donna Holaday, and NCTC co-founders Art Currier, Mark Friery and Bob O'Brien (back)
In an effort to attract more green companies to Newburyport, the Newburyport CleanTech Center (NCTC) had its official opening recently. The NCTC “…provides comprehensive services and support for sustainable startup companies,” according to the launch press release. “The NCTC provides end-to-end support including strategic counsel, financial investment strategies, business advice and space allocation to environmental startups in every stage of their development. It also is developing energy optimization initiatives to benefit existing companies.” The ceremony was attended by Congressman John Tierney and hundreds of other community leaders and supporters. The NCTC is already the home of two “ecopreneur” firms, Solais Lighting and Resolute Marine Energy and has the space and services to help launch many more. Their goal is to launch between 10-20 startups in the next 10 years.
Finally, an originator of “green Newburyport” initiatives is David Hall, owner of The Tannery Marketplace. Last year, Mr. Hall was awarded The Greater Newburyport of Commerce’s Entrepreneur Of The Year. The award was not only to recognize The Tannery’s renowned reputation as a premier shopping destination on the North Shore but also because of the efforts toward environmental stewardship. As an environmental advocate and practitioner both personally and professionally, Mr. Hall invested in 400 150 Watt BP photovoltaic panels, one of the largest privately owned solar arrays in New England. Each store and studio at The Tannery has been audited for energy efficiency and weatherization maximization. And throughout The Tannery, shoppers and clients will find opportunities to recycle and minimize solid wastes. These efforts have reduced the buildings total solid wastes by more than 75%.
To learn more about the many efforts by David Hall and The Tannery businesses, please visit http://tannerymarketplace.com/press/ or http://prlog.org/10640440.
If you would like to see more about “Green Newburyport”, please email Christin Walth with your ideas or interests
