Wind farm firm extends effort to Utah

BEAVER, Utah – The company that is building a wind farm in Mars Hill, Maine, has received approval for a $400 million wind project in southwestern Utah.

The first phase of the new 16,000-acre project will require 80 towers that will generate 320 megawatts of power, enough to supply about 60,000 homes.

UPC Wind Management LLC of Newton, Mass., has a 30-megawatt farm in Hawaii and is expected to complete a 42-megawatt, 28-turbine wind farm in Mars Hill, Maine, before the end of this year.

In Utah, Beaver County’s planning commission voted unanimously last week to grant a permit to UPC Wind. The first phase could employ up to 100 people.

“The Milford Valley creates a funnel effect that produces a great wind resource,” said Krista Kisch, business development director at UPC Wind.

Dave Cowan, the company’s vice president for environmental affairs, said wind is competitive with fossil fuels in a volatile energy market.