Two years ago, Astor Wines and Spirits relocated to the Theodore De Vinne Press Building at 399 Lafayette Street, on the northeast corner of Fourth Street in the Village. At the time, Andrew Fisher, whose family has owned the building since 1983, installed two microturbines in the basement. Until last December, though, when Mayor Bloomberg signed legislation authorizing the installation and use of microturbines, the Fishers had yet to turn the system on. Mr. Fisher told the New York Times earlier this week that the two microturbines, now operating pursuant to the rule, provide enough energy to heat, cool, and provide electricity for his store and its upstairs cooking school and gallery. He's also exploring the installation of a third microturbine that would power the space of the building's six commercial tenants above. "Our goal is to be completely off of the grid," he told the Times.
