Grid Study Cost Delays Crisfield Wind Energy

CRISFIELD, Md. (AP) -- Plans for a wind power turbine at Crisfield's sewage treatment plant are on hold after city officials learned they must first pay for a study on how it will affect the electricity grid.

Mayor Percy Purnell told The Daily Times of Salisbury that the city doesn't have the $35,000 Delmarva Power is asking for the study.

Purnell said he has contacted the Department of the Environment to see if the city can use a $4.8 million grant awarded for the project to pay for the study. The state is not allowed to release the funds until the project is ready to begin construction.

MDE spokesman Jay Apperson says state officials are looking into it. The turbine is expected to save Crisfield $20,000 a month in electricity.

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