Md. Man Builds Wind Turbine at His Home to Save on Energy Expenses

VALLEY LEE, Md. - Across the fields in St. Mary's County, Maryland, a symbol of a new future stands in the distance.

"This is the day I've been waiting for," said Rich Johnson proudly.

Rising 115 feet above the shoreline, Johnson's wind turbine is ready to start converting bay breezes into useable power. His quest began more than two years ago.

"My wife asked me what we could do to save our $5,000 a year utility bill," said Johnson.

He considered solar - but his research led him to wind as a better choice for his waterfront property on Herring Creek.

With this windmill, a 10 mph wind will generate 60 percent of the power he needs for his home. He expects to get even more than that. Just 13 mph on average, calculates Johnson, will cover 96 percent of his energy costs. Any excess he generates on really windy days goes back to the power company - so that on calm days like this one, he can pull from what he has banked.

The turbine is the first of its kind in the county and getting it was not easy.

Johnson had to enlist the help of County Commissioner Larry Jarboe to help him rewrite a local ordinance.

"We have a citizen that wants to make a solution and provide it, let’s get 'er done! Let’s make this happen," said Jarboe.

Jarboe says the county and the Navy, which is nearby at Pautuxent Naval Air Station, signed off on the project quickly.

The major hurdles came at the state level. Maryland has a goal of getting 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2020. Its Energy Administration provides grants to homeowners for wind power. But, because Johnson's property is on a shoreline, the state's Critical Area Commission did not want to approve a variance for the wind turbine.

"You have two different agencies that have two different mandates. You run into what’s called the Catch-22 where 'Yes you can but no, you can’t," Jarboe said. "We need to all talk on the same page."

Johnson and Jarboe eventually got State Senator Roy Dyson to help them out with that step.

Johnson is the first to admit this is not for everyone. It cost $80,000 out of his own pocket up front. After maximum state grants of $20,000 and a 30 percent federal tax credit, he expects it will still take up to six years to pay off. He doesn't mind being the local pioneer.

"It took a long time to get to this point, but I'm very happy about it," said Johnson.

In the process, he also became energized about local politics. Johnson is now running for county commissioner himself. Through his efforts, he has changed the system and created a blueprint for others to follow.