Grandpa's Knob Plaque

Both Governor Dean and Douglas have declared October
as wind energy month in Vermont

The American Wind Energy Association, Renewable Energy Vermont, the Castleton Historical Society and others from Vermont's wind energy industry kicked off the state's celebration of Wind Energy Month today at the Castleton Free Library. The event was held in Castleton to celebrate and commemorate a wind turbine that stood on Grandpa's Knob near Castleton 60 years ago. The 1.25-megawatt Smith-Putnam wind turbine made history as the first large-scale wind turbine to generate electricity into an electric utility's grid. On October 19, 1941, Central Vermont Public Service Corporation customers were the first in the world to have their homes and businesses powered by the wind. [read more about the Grandpa Knob turbine - 25kb pdf]

"When the Smith-Putnam wind turbine generated electricity so many years ago, it set us on a course that would ultimately change the way our world generates electricity," said Tom Gray, deputy executive director of the American Wind Energy Association. "Today this flourishing $9 billion industry powers more than 19 million homes worldwide with countries like Germany, Spain and Denmark leading the way."

According to Gray, Denmark, a country the size of Maine, generates about 20% of its electricity with the wind. The United States has wind farms in 30 states, but still generates most of its electricity with coal (more than 50%), nuclear (20%) and natural gas (18%).

" It's wonderful to recognize the vital role Vermont played in the development of large-scale wind energy so many years ago," said Andrew Perchlik, executive director of Renewable Energy Vermont (REV). "Vermont has a responsibility to continue this industry's growth locally and globally. By moving ahead with the wind projects that have been proposed in this state, we can enjoy the many benefits that wind energy can provide our economy, our environment and our health."

Vermont is home to one commercially operating wind farm. The Searsburg wind farm generates approximately 6 megawatts, enough electricity to power about 2,000 homes. According to Perchlik, Vermont has the potential to generate at least 20% of its energy through wind. Several wind projects have been proposed for Vermont.

David Blittersdorf, whose childhood home was near the site of the wind turbine, credits the Smith-Putnam wind turbine for spurring his interest in wind energy. Blittersdorf is the founder of the Hinesburg-based NRG Systems, a global manufacturer of wind measuring systems. "I grew up listening to locals speaking of the Smith-Putnam project and would often trek to the site with my father...these stories captivated me for a lifetime."

Governor James Douglas announced at a recent Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) conference that October is Wind Energy Month in Vermont. In 2002, Vermont was the first state in the nation to proclaim October as Wind Energy Month.

Read "A Home For Wind" - the Rutland Herald's editoral view on Governor Douglas and wind energy.