Denmark Bulletin
Thursday 9/11/2006 Page: 1
How could I look my grandchildren in the eye and say `I knew about this, and did nothing'? - Sir David Attenborough, on global warming.
No matter what you do for a living, where you live, or how much money you make, everything you do has an impact on the planet. Whether large or small, every action is important.
The factors contributing to global warming can seem overwhelmingly complex - big corporations, the government, special interest groups, and our own daily lives are all tangled together in a web of interconnecting needs, wants, and plain old habits.
Unless you're a power player on the world stage, you might feel powerless to disentangle the "big" stuff. That's why we arranged with the Australian Conservation Foundation to include their booklet, "Australia's Inconvenient Truth", in this newsletter.
It, outlines some of the things you can do at home and at work to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions - and the best part is, it really isn't difficult to make a difference! The Denmark Community Windfarm will make a difference by saving about 7500 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year entering the atmosphere.
In doing so it will supply clean, green power equal to about 60% of Denmark's annual consumption, and boost the local economy, by keeping some of the $1- million we pay for electricity each year in the district.
It is a community-owned project, so by investing in it you will have a say in how it is run and how its profits are used - and your electricity bills will be lower, through the annual dividend paid to shareholders.
Feasibility study proves the point The project's final feasibility study, delivered on September 20, confines that the windfarm is technically and financially viable.
DCW chairman Craig Chappelle said "it vindicates the community's desire, clearly stated in public workshops three years ago, for Denmark to have a sustainable-energy future. "The study shows that, on the best site, a small scale, community-owned windfarm can deliver environmental and social benefits, and still turn a profit."
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Because of the inherent limitations of the existing Western Power grid the windfarm will be smaller than originally planned - 1.6 megawatts (MW) instead of 2.4 - and comprise only two turbines.
"However, with local support growing steadily and the state government committed to seeing the project succeed, it is just a matter of time until the windfarm is pumping pollution free electricity into Denmark homes," Craig said.
The completion date is currently expected to be 2009, due mainly to a worldwide backlog of orders for wind turbines. In the meantime, planning and connection approvals will be obtained, further site studies completed and investment sought.
"The key goal remains that Denmark people own the windfarm, so we encourage local individuals and businesses to consider investing. We would hope that at least half the project could be financed this way," Craig said.
DCW has also applied for a regional assistance grant available to renewable-energy generators that would cover the other half of the $2.6m project. A prospectus will be issued in due course, offering shares in Denmark Power Company, the legal entity that will manage the windfarm's operation.
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