Connecticut-based commercial printer Phoenix Press to construct 150-foot wind turbine that will provide one-third of its annual energy needs, saving US$35,000/year

Jan 15, 2010 — dBusinessNews Hartford

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, January 15, 2010 (press release) — It was 11 months ago when brothers Brian and Kevin Driscoll, co-owners of New Haven, Conn.-based printing company, Phoenix Press announced that they would be constructing a massive 150-foot wind turbine on the banks of the Quinnipiac River. The turbine would be right outside of their historic brick facility, thus forever changing the landscape and skyline of the Elm City. The Driscoll brothers’ dreams are becoming a reality this month.

The wind turbine project team is set to break ground the week of January 18, with an official ground breaking ceremony planned for January 21 at 11:00 AM at the project site. The turbine project, which is being supported with a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), will be the largest wind turbine project ever in the state. The turbine will also provide Phoenix Press with about one-third of their annual energy needs, saving the company around $35,000 a year in utility costs.

With the installation of the wind turbine, Phoenix Press will become the first business in Connecticut to have a Northwind 100-kilowatt wind turbine on site, as well as the first commercial printing plant in the nation to have on-site wind power being converted into power to print, coming from a major, 100-kilowatt wind turbine.

“We are so thrilled to be able to be a part of this change in not only our company’s history, but to leave our indelible mark on New Haven’s skyline and help change the environment for the positive at the same time. The dream my brother Kevin and I had is finally becoming a reality, and we couldn’t be happier,” says Phoenix Press President and Co-Owner, Brian Driscoll.

Lise Dondy, President of the CCEF, said, “We are delighted to help make possible the installation of this wind turbine at Phoenix Press – the first commercial wind turbine to be built in Connecticut with support from the CCEF. It is an exciting project not only because it will point Connecticut in a whole new direction in renewables but also because it will go a long way toward raising awareness about clean energy alternatives, given the turbine’s highly visible location. Drivers traveling over New Haven’s Quinnipiac Bridge on I-95 will have a clear view of the wind turbine on the banks of the river.”

The turbine is only one of the many ongoing efforts and green energy programs in place at the printing plant. Phoenix Press is a proud member of the Green Energy Council and is FSC certified, enabling them to use Forest Stewardship Council paper and denote when the recycled paper has been used with the FSC logo. The company participates in an extensive recycling program which allows for 100% of its excess paper usage to be recycled. In addition, printing plates used in the printing process are also recycled. Additionally, they have printing presses which require no toxic chemicals used in the process and no-VOC inks. Their warehouse uses energy efficient lighting among other efforts both already in place and soon to come.

For more information on the wind turbine project at Phoenix Press, or for further information on the company please visit http://www.phoenixpressinc.com or http://www.wind2print.com.

About Phoenix Press:

Founded in 1982 by three brothers who had a passion for old-time customer service and modern printing methods, Phoenix Press has grown to one of the most well-equipped, and progressive-thinking commercial printers in the nation. Their vision was to create a shop that would satisfy the needs of customers without compromise. Today, Phoenix Press is still owned and operated by the Driscoll brothers, and remains a family-run business. Phoenix Press’s 60,000-square-foot modern facility and staff of 45 printing professionals all committed to the company’s original vision.

In 2010, the company will install a 100-kilowatt wind turbine on the plant property, making Phoenix the first printer in America providing their clients with printing coming from on-site wind power coming from a large-scale wind turbine. For more information on Phoenix Press please visit http://www.phoenixpressinc.com.

About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF):

CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by the electric ratepayers. CCEF’s mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut’s ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public authority. For more information on CCEF, please visit http://www.ctcleanenergy.com.

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