Windmill components make park center of attention

16 years ago
By Kathy McCarty  
Staff Writer

    PRESQUE ISLE — The Industrial Park, which once served as the air base, is seeing an increase in air-related activity, and revenue, with the arrival of wind mill parts via rail.

 

ImageStaff photo/Kathy McCarty
    HUB OF ACTIVITY — The Industrial Park in Presque Isle has been the center of activity, with the arrival of windmill parts via the intermodal system in recent weeks. Champion Crane, on behalf of G.E., leased the site for shipments of hubs and nacelles destined for Lincoln, Oakfield and Nova Scotia. Here, train cars are pictured loaded with a shipment of nacelles.

 

    While the parts have been arriving using the intermodal system, road traffic is also picking up, as sightseers check out the cargo and trucks begin loading the equipment for transport to various destinations in Maine and Canada.
    “Shipments began arriving about two weeks ago. The cargo is G.E. equipment being shipped from Pensacola, Fla. From here, they’ll be repositioned, with portions going to projects in Oakfield, Lincoln and Cold Springs, Nova Scotia,” said Larry Clark, executive director of the Presque Isle Industrial Council.
    Clark said one of the largest shipments to date included 16 flat cars loaded with a combination of hubs and nacelles destined for wind projects in other locations.
    “The lease agreement for the intermodal yard is with Champion Crane; they, in turn, have a contract with G.E. to unload, store and reload equipment,” said Clark, noting that as soon as parts arrive, the next leg of their journey begins immediately.
    “Once they get here, trucks load the parts and they’re on their way. Product will be coming and going on a continuous basis,” explained Clark.
    Clark said because of the cargo’s weight, shipment by rail is the preferred method of transportation. Presque Isle’s intermodal system, which was created several years ago, was selected to receive shipments for a number of reasons.
    “Not everybody who has rail, rail sidings and a yard are large enough or strong enough to hold this type of equipment. They learned through the railroad that we were sitting here with an intermodal yard that’s not being used. A G.E. representative visited in February and we proceeded from there,” said Clark.
    Clark said the site proved to be a perfect match for G.E.’s needs.
    “One other thing we learned in the process, there are very few sites where they can ship in, unload, store and ship back out. We have everything they’re looking for,” said Clark. “The rail, rail siding, yard and ability to ship back out of here via road systems meet their every need.”    
    The site has been leased for five months, according to Clark.
    “Our hope, if you will, is that this will repeat itself with all the windmill activity being discussed in Aroostook County and Canada. That was one of the things that was of interest to them — our close proximity to Canada,” he said.
    “They (Champion Crane) brought in their own equipment. What we had was repositioned to Portland,” Clark said.
    A forklift is used to unload the hubs, while a crane is used to unload the nacelles.
    “Generators weigh approximately 130,000 pounds, hubs weigh in at 28,000 to 30,000 pounds,” noted Clark. “What attracted them to the yard was the fact we have base material measuring 48 inches. The ground is solid.”
    Another thing that proved to be a selling point for leasing the yard was security at the site.
    “Another thing that attracted them to the yard is the fact most of it is fenced in, with a lighting system. Another factor was the intermodal garage and office building,” said Clark.
    City Manager Tom Stevens said the lease agreement is a definite plus to the city’s budget.
    “This will be a positive benefit to the city financially,” said Stevens.
    “The revenue is money we hadn’t anticipated and will be helpful at this stage of the economy. It’s very appreciated,” added Clark.
    Stevens said this marked the second time the intermodal site has been used for such a purpose.
    “This is the second time we’ve used that particular yard for the storage of windmill components. As we understand it, we’re one of only a few places large enough to store such equipment,” Stevens said. “We’re now on the radar screen as a facility that can accommodate large shipments of equipments and products.”
    Clark said he was bewildered at first why shipments destined for Lincoln and Nova Scotia would be shipped to the north, rather than going directly to their destination.
    “It was interesting. When they first called, I wondered, ‘why here?’ Apparently we have one of the few sites in Maine that has everything they need,” said Clark.

 

Staff photo/Kathy McCartyImage
    WINDMILL PARTS by the dozens began arriving recently at the Industrial Park in Presque Isle via the intermodal system, destined for windmill construction sites in Maine and Canada. Here, rows of windmill hubs await pickup.