News
SGA invests in wind turbine research through reserve
The Pointer
bhaig870@uwsp.edu
In an effort to create a more sustainable University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the Student Government Association plans to conduct a wind assessment in an effort to place a wind turbine on the WWSP radio tower land.
The radio tower, owned by UW-SP and used by WWSP 90FM, is the second-highest point in Portage County. The idea for the wind turbine comes from SGA President Katie Kloth.
“It’s been a project of mine for awhile, and I think it’s a very good step towards a sustainable campus,” said Kloth.
In what is the first set of hoops to go through in acquiring the wind turbine, SGA has already received the go-ahead from administrators to conduct a wind assessment.
Kloth will now have to complete the application for the assessment, and has requested the $600 cost through the SGA finance committee later this week. The money will come from the sustainability reserve, a budget set aside previously for sustainable actions and projects such as the wind turbine.
“There are still some discrepancies as to the wind maps in the area, as far as how many miles per hour the wind is…However, the wind assessment will clear things up,” said Kloth.
The radio tower is located west of Stevens Point on County Highway PP, and if the wind turbine idea is deemed feasible, the power will be most likely allocated to powering the radio tower.
In the event that the wind assessment does not provide a likely location for the wind turbine, SGA will consider looking into constructing a windmill near the DUC to power the outside lights and as a demonstration for the TNR.
The wind assessment will most likely be done by the end of the semester.
