Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 176
Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Renewable Energy
The Newport zoning ordinance currently only has provisions
for wind energy systems, allowing for their siting to be in
certain areas throughout the city. As of now, solar energy
systems and other renewable energy sources are absent from
the City’s Zoning Code.
Newport’s Zoning code
currently has provisions for
only wind energy systems.
Expanding zoning provisions
for other renewable energy
systems may raise the profile of
renewables in Newport.
While wind energy systems are included in the City’s Zoning
Code, there are some heavy restrictions on the types of
systems allowed and where they can be sited. Specifically, no
turbines will be allowed that produce more than 100 kilowatts of energy and all wind energy systems require permits
(building permits in some cases and special use permits in others). Wind energy systems may only be installed on
residential lots of at least 10,000 square feet and on commercial lots of 40,000 square feet. Residential systems may
not exceed 50 feet in height and must be setback at least 125% of the system height from all property lines. This
means that any residential wind energy system that is the maximum height of 50 feet tall must be setback at least
62.5 feet from all of the property lines. Commercial systems may not exceed 80 feet in height and must be setback at
least 125% of the system height, 100 feet for 80 foot tall systems, from all property lines. Also, in an effort to preserve
the abundant historical resources present in Newport, the City has made it so no wind energy systems may be sited
within the historic district.
Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) is a
common phenomenon
Offshore Wind Energy Systems
surrounding solar panels and
Off-shore wind farms have grown in popularity in recent years.
wind turbines. Many people
This is due to the fact that wind speeds increase at distances
believe these renewable energy
further away from shore and thus there is greater opportunity for
facilities are unpleasant to look
energy creation through wind turbines. Newport has a large
at and can adversely affect their
shoreline facing the Atlantic Ocean, creating offshore wind
property values.
energy opportunities for the city.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is just as important as energy production. There is a lot that can be done for every structure in
Newport to improve its energy efficiency. Converting all household lightbulbs to LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lightbulbs
can drastically reduce energy consumption. Also, energy efficient windows can reduce heat loss during winter and
heat gain during summer. This means that less energy will be used and less money will be spent on the heating or
cooling of households.
Energy Upgrades
Newport City Hall Upgrades
In early 2016, the boiler at City Hall was replaced with a newer and
more efficient boiler. Prior to the replacement, a load test was
completed to help assess what size and type of boiler should be
installed. It was found that a smaller, gas burning boiler should be
installed to replace the older, oil burning boiler. The new boiler
uses less energy, reduces energy consumption and costs, and
improves system efficiency and outdoor air quality due to the
burning of gas rather than oil. On top of the newly installed boiler,
it has been proposed that the City should invest in a boiler reset
control to further reduce energy usage and costs. This mechanism
could result in 5% - 15% savings in energy costs.
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The City of Newport has made
energy efficiency is a
consideration in all capital
improvement projects. The City
has already installed energy
efficient light fixtures at
municipal facilities along with
the installation of high efficiency
mechanical equipment and
energy management systems.
Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016)