NEWBURYPORT – Mark Rickey’s wind turbine, solar panels and a biomass boiler have long been examples of green manufacturing here.
But earlier this month, wind and rain caused a container of hydraulic fluid on the turbine to spill into its catch basin, polluting the surrounding neighborhood when the turbine blew it onto houses, cars, and buildings.
On the following Tuesday, crews began the extensive clean-up project in the neighborhood along Route 1, while the Department of Environmental Protection supervised.
Newburyport Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury III was quoted as saying he is not worried about health issues, but residents expressed concern about the long-term effects of the hydraulic fluid on plants and pets.
Richey, who has promised to pay all the cleanup costs, said, “This is the first time we’ve had any kind of incident like this. It is an older turbine now and does require a lot of maintenance. But we are surprised.”
The turbine won’t be restarted until the owners know why this happened and take steps to prevent it from happening again.
Mark Richey Woodworking is a leading manufacturer of high-end architectural millwork products that are known for their superior craftsmanship and energy-efficient manufacturing. ♦
