Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Cooperative are jointly exploring the construction of a wind power facility called Kingdom Community Wind on Lowell Mountain.

The project could include 12 to 17 modern wind turbines on a 2.5-mile stretch of ridge line owned by Trip Wileman of Lowell. Wileman owns the private corporation called Kingdom Community Wind.

The project, with a preliminary estimated cost of between $80 million and $125 million, could generate 30 to 42 megawatts of electricity. That is enough to power 15,000 Vermont households, the project promoters said Friday.

Lowell Mountain's ridge lines, which rise above farm land west and south of Jay Peak, is within the co-operative's service area. VEC has been talking with Wileman about investing in a wind project on Lowell Mountain for at least several months.

Wileman owns 1,801 acres on the mountain. His father owns another 62 acres which would be used to access the ridge line.

Wileman was one of several landowners involved in the initial exploration of wind power for Lowell Mountain by out-of-state companies. Last year, he did not renew contracts with a foreign investor and announced that he was seeking to work with Vermont power companies to develop wind on his property.

The decision to make a formal announcement Friday - in a press release issued jointly by GMP, VEC and Wileman - came as the partners realized they are at a stage to need more wind measurement tests from towers on the mountain.

The wind test towers, involving lasers to measure wind up to 200 meters above ground, will require approval by the Vermont Public Service Board.

"We are interested in exploring the potential of building this project because we know our customers want energy that is low cost, low in carbon emissions and reliable," said Mary Powell, GMP president and CEO.