Wind firm files paperwork on two projects

A Massachusetts company has filed applications with state regulators for two industrial wind energy facilities in northern Maine.

First Wind is seeking approval for a 40-turbine wind project on ridgelines in the communities of Lincoln, Lee, Winn, Burlington and Mattawamkeag. The company filed paperwork for the Rollins Mountain project with the Lincoln planning board last week and submitted applications to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection late last month.

The company also submitted applications last week to the Land Use Regulation Commission for a 17-turbine wind project outside of the town of Danforth in northern Washington County. That project, known as Stetson II, would expand the 38-turbine Stetson Mountain wind farm that is nearing completion.

First Wind was required to file the Rollins Mountain application with the DEP because much of the project is located within town limits. The Stetson II project, on the other hand, will be processed by LURC because it is located in Maine’s Unorganized Territory.

First Wind, which also works under the subsidiary name of Evergreen Wind, operates the 28-turbine Mars Hill wind energy facility in Aroostook County.

Matt Kearns, vice president of development for New England, said the existing Stetson Mountain project has funneled an estimated $50 million to 130 Maine businesses, including 35 Lincoln companies.

“We expect that as we develop and build more projects, there will be similar benefits to the local and regional economies,” Kearns said in a statement.

The Rollins Mountain project has encountered some opposition so far.

A group of Lincoln-area residents critical of the proposal are pushing for a 180-day moratorium on wind energy projects. The group is concerned that dozens of nearly 400-foot-tall wind turbines will harm the health and well-being of local residents, lower property values and ruin the scenery.

Phase I of the Stetson project encountered some opposition from local residents, registered guides and sportsmen raising similar concerns. But the project was supported by Washington County officials and numerous business owners.

Moratoriums on wind energy projects also have been proposed in several Aroostook County towns where another company, Horizon Wind, hopes to build up to 400 turbines in several phases.

First Wind also is expected to submit an application for a roughly 30-turbine wind farm in the southern Aroostook County town of Oakfield and is developing plans for wind power facilities in Rumford and on Canada’s Grand Manan Island.

kmiller@bangordailynews.net

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