WORLD WIND ENERGY NET

ABINGDON - Abingdon School District 217 is participating in a feasibility study for its wind turbine project.
Magie Stuart told Board of Education members Wednesday the $10,000 feasibility study - which includes District 217, ROWVA District 208, Farmington District 265, Galesburg District 205, Knoxville District 202 and Carl Sandburg College - will determine if the wind energy project is financially feasible and the best location for the turbines. Each entity is paying $2,000 toward the study. The extra money will remain in a fund for future use.

The City of Abingdon had been involved in the project but Stuart said the city council has not contributed its portion of the cost.

Abingdon High School students began discussing a local wind farm in 2004. It wasn't until early September of this year that the state approved Senate Bill 843, sponsored by Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson, that will allow school districts and municipalities to jointly own a wind farm, the proceeds being divided among the project participants.

Plans for the project estimated it would cost $20 million to $30 million to install the 12 to 15 turbines in Knox County. After the bill passed, Moffitt said wind is a clean energy source, and school-owned wind energy companies will reduce operating costs of public schools, thus saving taxpayers money.

Stuart said the study will determine if putting all of the school districts together is "feasible in lieu of the deregulation of electricity last January and the escalating price of turbines, even in the best location for the group."

In other business Abingdon schools will soon allow parents to pay for their children's lunches over the Internet using credit cards. Stuart said the district was still looking at different banking options to provide the service, but hopes to have the program running by the second semester.