Windplant developer hires consulting firm

Saying New England holds tremendous opportunity for wind energy development, Connecticut-based Noble Environmental Power today announced that it is teaming up with Vermont-based Vermont Environmental Research Associates (VERA) to explore potential windpark locations throughout the region.

Noble Environmental — one of the nation’s leading wind energy developers — has several windparks totaling more than 1,000 megawatts of clean, renewable energy under development in New York and Michigan and is now conducting preliminary research to determine if there are suitable sites for windpark development in New England. VERA has more than two decades of experience with wind resource assessments and wind turbine siting work in New England and has managed the development of the Searsburg, Deerfield and Lowell projects in Vermont and the Hoosac Project in Massachusetts.

“As our nation moves to create clean and renewable energy sources, New England’s excellent wind resources and commitment to the environment make it well-positioned to become a leader,” said Noble Environmental’s CEO Charles C. Hinckley. “VERA’s knowledge of the area and reputation in the region make them a perfect partner. We look forward to working closely with them as we begin our preliminary site analysis.”

“The Noble team has the experience and the resources to get good windparks built,” said VERA President John Zimmerman. “One of the many ways Noble Environmental distinguishes itself from its competitors is its commitment to community relations. Noble’s goal is to develop and operate windparks for the long-term and it builds windparks on a foundation of communication, transparency and trust.”

Mr. Hinckley said he was encouraged by the support for wind energy in the region. “New England has a strong tradition of environmental stewardship and wind power is a natural part of that tradition,” he said.

Noble’s preliminary site evaluation will include an evaluation of wind resources (i.e., whether there is enough constant wind to support energy generation) and extensive dialogue with local communities to explore their attitudes toward wind energy development. If built, each windpark will create pollution-free electricity as well as hundreds of local jobs during the construction phase and numerous well-paying permanent jobs once operational.

About Noble Environmental Power: Noble is a leading renewable energy company that is majority owned by JP Morgan Partners Fund and was founded in 2004 in response to public policy initiatives designed to foster the increased use of renewable energy sources. Noble is committed to creating environmentally friendly facilities in partnership with local communities. Based in Essex, CT, Noble has offices in Altona, Churubusco, Brandon, Bliss, and Fredonia NY; and Bad Axe, MI. For more information, please visit www.noblepower.com, or email to info@noblepower.com.