At the request of Senator Brian A. Joyce, the Patrick administration is examining the possibility of constructing a wind turbine atop the Great Blue Hill Reservation and harvesting the wind to power several local facilities including the Ski Area, the radio tower and the Observatory. 

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has agreed to examine the practicality of placing a wind turbine or turbines in the Blue Hills Reservation. 

"I am intrigued by the idea of a turbine at the Blue Hills," said Senator Joyce. "I believe Massachusetts should be a global leader for clean energy technology and the benefits of such a project could potentially be tremendous for the Blue Hills and the adjacent community."

In particular, the feasibility study currently underway will look at the economics of the project, the electrical needs of the area, the proximity of the proposed turbine to the Norwood airfield, and bird and bat migratory patterns. 

Blue Hills enjoys some of the strongest wind guests of any inland location in Southeastern Massachusetts, and at 635 feet, Great Blue Hill would theoretically need only a relatively short structure to harness an enormous amount of wind. 

Countless Massachusetts residents and visitors pass the Blue Hills daily on Route 1, 93, 95, and 128, the MBTA commuter rail and Amtrak intercity service. Perched atop one of the 22 peaks, the turbine would make a statement about Massachusetts’ commitment to renewable energies while generating money for the Blue Hills.