Mars Hill wind farm completes first year of operation
WLBZ 2|Heather Seavey|March 26, 2008
Despite the Mars Hill wind project's success, there are some people in the community who have been opposed to it since the beginning. They say when the turbines are moving, it's just too noisy. "There's 18 families, and I happen to be one of them, that live within a mile of the complex, that listen to noise almost on a daily basis and it's a constant noise," said resident Rod Mahan. Pat McGowan says he understands their concerns, but the need for locally produced power in this time of high energy costs is important. "The folks are taking a risk in Maine and they're betting on these ridge lines and they're betting on renewal energy for a very very long time and that's important," said McGowan.
Despite the Mars Hill wind project's success, there are some people in the community who have been opposed to it since the beginning. They say when the turbines are moving, it's just too noisy. "There's 18 families, and I happen to be one of them, that live within a mile of the complex, that listen to noise almost on a daily basis and it's a constant noise," said resident Rod Mahan. Pat McGowan says he understands their concerns, but the need for locally produced power in this time of high energy costs is important. "The folks are taking a risk in Maine and they're betting on these ridge lines and they're betting on renewal energy for a very very long time and that's important," said McGowan.
It's been one year since the Mars Hill wind turbines started producing electricity. The project is the first energy project of its kind in Maine.
Tuesday, state and local officals gathered at Big Rock Ski Area to give us a look at the impact it has made in Maine.
Maine's Department Of Conservation Commissioner Pat McGowan says so far the project is a success.
"Fantastic! We've lessened our comsumption of fossil fuels, increased our mix of energy in Maine and we've had a successful year of operations," said McGowan.
In its first year, UPC Wind, which owns the turbines, says the site has generated enough power for more than 19,000 homes.
The President and CEO of UPC Wind, Paul Gaynor, says the project is off to a great start.
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... more [truncated due to possible copyright] It's been one year since the Mars Hill wind turbines started producing electricity. The project is the first energy project of its kind in Maine.
Tuesday, state and local officals gathered at Big Rock Ski Area to give us a look at the impact it has made in Maine.
Maine's Department Of Conservation Commissioner Pat McGowan says so far the project is a success.
"Fantastic! We've lessened our comsumption of fossil fuels, increased our mix of energy in Maine and we've had a successful year of operations," said McGowan.
In its first year, UPC Wind, which owns the turbines, says the site has generated enough power for more than 19,000 homes.
The President and CEO of UPC Wind, Paul Gaynor, says the project is off to a great start.
"Typically the first year, you're trying to get all the bugs out and this year we're near 99% of expected production," said Gaynor.
Governor Baldacci has put together a task force for development of similar sites. The group will present a report to the Legistature on Friday.
Governor Baldacci says they came to a consensus about areas of Maine that should be pre-permitted zoned areas for wind power development.
Despite the Mars Hill wind project's success, there are some people in the community who have been opposed to it since the beginning. They say when the turbines are moving, it's just too noisy.
"There's 18 families, and I happen to be one of them, that live within a mile of the complex, that listen to noise almost on a daily basis and it's a constant noise," said resident Rod Mahan.
Pat McGowan says he understands their concerns, but the need for locally produced power in this time of high energy costs is important.
"The folks are taking a risk in Maine and they're betting on these ridge lines and they're betting on renewal energy for a very very long time and that's important," said McGowan.
Mahan agrees. Still, for now he doesn't like how they look, but says as the years go on, maybe his opinion will change.
The Governor hopes to have many more of these projects across the state. The power produced from Mars Hill is 45 megawatts. The Governor's goal is to have 2,000 megawatts of power by the year 2015.