Jan. 15, 2009 – The Sugar Mill Veterinary Center on St. Croix held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 15 to celebrate the completion of its solar and wind renewable energy systems. The project was made possible through the support of the USDA and its Renewable Energy for America Grant Program (REAP Grant) as well as the Virgin Island Energy Office (VIEO) and its Renewable Energy Rebate Program. Representatives from the USDA and the VIEO attended the ceremony, in addition to local renewable energy vendors.
"We are very interested in being as environmentally friendly as possible," said veterinarian and owner Dr. Stacia Boswell, "and one of our primary goals is to reduce the amount of energy our practice consumes and then attempt to generate our remaining energy needs through clean and renewable energy sources."
The Veterinary Center's renewable energy efforts include a roof-mounted solar photovoltaic electric system, a wind turbine electric generator and a solar hot-water system. The renewable electric systems will be interconnected to the Virgin Island Water & Power Authority's grid systems through its Net Metering Program.
"We anticipate that the majority of our electricity requirements each month will be satisfied through on-site solar and wind electricity generation," said Dr. Boswell, "and all of our hot water is heated entirely from the sun."
Local business providers who were instrumental in the project include M&M Construction, Go-Green, Solar Delivered, Island Home Controls, and the Island Energy Store.
The USDA's Section 9006 REAP Grant Program provides funds to agricultural producers and rural small
businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis and can be up to 25 percent of total eligible project costs.
For additional information on this and other USDA programs, contact Kimme R. Bryce, area specialist, at 773-9146.
The Virgin Island Energy Office's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Rebate Program offers cash rebates to consumer for the purchase of energy efficient and renewable energy items such as solar photovoltaic panels, solar water heaters, and wind turbine generators.
For additional information on this and other VIEO programs, contact Don Buchanan at 773-1082, extension 2239.
The Sugar Mill Veterinary Center is a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly, full-service companion animal veterinary hospital. It provides comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care for pets on St. Croix, as well grooming and boarding services. It is located at 220 La Grande Princesse.
For information, call 718-0002, or go to Website at www.sugarmillvetcenter.com .
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