Governor visits East Otis wind turbine

EAST OTIS, Mass. (WWLP) - Governor Deval Patrick visited the Williams Stone Company in East Otis on Wednesday.

The Berkshire County business has installed a 600 Watt wind turbine.

The 213 feet high turbine produces enough energy to run the entire granite curbing company. The project started in July 2007 and was completed in June of 2009.

The turbine cost $1.7 million dollars. But, that bill was reduced by a $500,000 MTC Grant.

Ed Mahoney, the president of Williams Stone Company, told 22News that wind turbine saves their company $172,000 a year.

He said that the turbine will pay for itself within five to eight years.

Governor Deval Patrick said he hopes more companies embrace wind power.

He said more businesses should consider reducing their dependency on fossil fuels and he "applauds Williams Stone Company for their foresight."

This is the second commercial scale wind turbine to be constructed in the Berkshires. The first was built in Hancock.