Becket Wind Project: A Small Town Pushing Massachusetts Clean Energy Forward

Berkshire County Case Study: CELG December 2024 Newsletter

The Town of Becket, Massachusetts is demonstrating how small communities can lead in municipal decarbonization. With strong local leadership and the support of state and federal clean energy incentives, Becket is set to install a 15 kW Bergey Excel wind turbine behind the Town Hall—an initiative projected to reduce municipal electricity costs, bolster energy resilience, and contribute to state climate mandates.

A Strong Foundation: A Decade of Clean-Energy Gains

For more than ten years, the Becket Energy Committee has modernized the town’s municipal buildings with insulation, HVAC upgrades, LED streetlighting, and efficiency measures. These efforts achieved a 23% reduction in municipal energy consumption, earning the town Level 2 Green Community status.

With most efficiency gains completed, Becket shifted focus to renewable generation. Solar options were explored but limited by grid interconnection constraints and grant eligibility. The Town Hall property, however, sits at 1,506 ft elevation, offering unusually favorable wind

conditions.

High Wind Resource + Clean Siting = A Clear Technical Case

A 2023–2024 Small Wind Site Evaluation found:

• No fatal flaws to development

• Excellent wind exposure, especially from prevailing western and northwestern winds

• Projected annual generation: ~40,430 kWh

• More than enough to serve the Town Hall’s ~22,000 kWh usage

• Surplus power will support the Highway Garage and other buildings via Eversource Schedule Z

• No rare species habitat impacts; wetlands are present but outside the disturbance footprint

• The turbine meets local zoning bylaws and sits on already disturbed land

Economics That Work for a Small Town

The financial structure is unusually favorable:

• $139,500 DOER Green Communities Competitive Grant

• 40% Federal Investment Tax Credit (Direct Pay) through the Inflation Reduction Act

• Estimated cost: ~$212,000

• Annual avoided electricity cost: ~$9,000

• 50-year equipment life + nearly 100% U.S. manufacturing content

The Select Board endorsed the project and will provide contingency capital if federal tax credit timing or eligibility changes.

A Blueprint for Rural Municipal Clean Energy

Becket’s wind project directly addresses core challenges faced by rural towns:

• Exposure to volatile electricity prices

• Limited solar siting or interconnection capacity

• Need for on-site, low-footprint renewable energy

• Pressure to meet state mandates for fossil-free municipal electricity by 2030

By pairing strong wind resources with grants, tax credits, and thoughtful planning, Becket is demonstrating how small wind can play a meaningful role in New England’s clean energy transition.