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Date: 2/21/2004Location: RIThe Block Island Times.
The Bergey XL.1 provides electricity to the lighthouse and heats it during the cold months, which will save money on generator fuel and heating fuel. The solar-electric panels also provide additional energy for operating the building.
Robert Gilpin, North Light Commission vice chair, has been maintaining the lighthouse's generator for the last 12 years. Gilpin said he expects to cut down on runtime by about 80 percent and to reduce heating oil consumption by about 10 to 15 percent. In addition, the wind turbine will reduce pollution in an environmentally sensitive area. It reduces the risk of an oil spill, as transporting fossil fuels through the wildlife sanctuary that surrounds the lighthouse is risky.
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