According to the company’s website, First Wind (headquarters in Boston, MA) is an independent renewable energy company focused on the development, financing, construction, ownership and operation of utility-scale power projects in the United States. First wind has plans for projects in the Northeastern and Western regions of the U.S. and also Hawaii.
First Wind currently has four operational windmill sites in Maine as well as one in development. Located in Washington County, The 83 MW Stetson Wind Farm is an operational utility scale wind farm in New England. This project can provide 30,000 homes in New England with clean renewable energy while avoiding 93,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
There has been news about First Wind bringing projects to Bingham and other local areas. The company proposed a 62-turbine project, costing 400 million dollars, that is capable of generating up to 186 megawatts of power (capacity to power 75,000 homes) making it the largest turbine farm in New England. According to the Bangor Daily News, First Wind Energy LLC, had an application approved by the Department of Environmental Protection in May for the Bingham Wind Project that will place 11 turbines in Bingham, 29 in Mayfield Township and 22 in Kingsbury Plantation.
Construction for this project will start in 2014. First Wind claims the “tangible benefits” of the project (if approved) would be 350 full-time construction jobs and an estimated $145 million of the project’s total cost would be spent in Maine.
If everything goes as planned and First Wind completes this project, the company has signed community benefit agreements and will make annual payments of $176,000 to Kingsbury Plantation; $106,000 to Bingham; and $20,000 each to Abbott, Parkman and Moscow, according to the director of development for New England, David Fowler. First Wind would also give an additional $30,000 to the Somerset Economic Development Corporation and another $10,000 to small town clubs like the Moose Alley Riders ATV club. In the long run, this project will highly support the small local towns.
Even with benefits like this, the project has received some negative feedback from the locals. There are worries about the severe impact the turbines could have on both the community and wildlife in the areas. In an interview with Kirsten Mathieu, concerned citizen of Bingham, she said “I don’t wait to see it.” She is concerned that the turbines will ruin the beautiful view she has grown up with. People affected by the project are also worried about the noise caused by the turbines, saying it is like an airplane that never lands. Others say the turbines would affect the bird population in the area.
Alongside the negative reaction, there have been many positive supporters of this project. In an interview with Andrew Marden, President of the student council, he stated, “If it gives us money and provides us with jobs then I’m all for it.” He later also stated, “The benefits outweigh the negatives.” People are liking the idea of having 21stcentury technology in their area and also having a way to get off the necessity for oil. People are also enjoying the benefits that come along with the project and think it will help the communities.
Written By: Jonathan Miller
Valley's Word 