Wind power firm aids ACAP heating program

  PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The Aroostook County Action Program was one of four organizations to benefit from a donation from a business best known for its development of alternative energy through the use of wind turbines. First Wind, an independent wind power company, presented a $7,500 check to ACAP officials on Oct. 1 to help support the agency’s Keep Maine Warm Fun-Aroostook.
    “We’re tickled to get that kind of money. The need is always greater than the funds available. This will definitely help,” said Jim Baillargeon, senior manager of Energy and Housing Services at ACAP.
Baillargeon said lat year the average benefit was $750 for an eligible household. Due to rising prices for home heating fuels, he said officials in charge of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program have approved an increase in funding and adjusted eligibility guidelines.
“We served over 5,500 households last year. LIHEAP benefits will be nearly doubled this year and guidelines for eligibility have been changed, meaning more people will be able to apply for the funds,” he said.
The donation is part of a statewide effort by First Wind, consisting of a total contribution of $30,000 across four regional funds, to help Maine residents with the escalating costs of heating their homes this winter.
Making the presentation for First Wind was Ryan Fonbuena, operations manager at First Wind’s Mars Hill wind farm.
“We (First Wind officials) knew with the rising cost of heating oil and heating in general, people in Aroostook County often have to decide between food, medicine or heat. We don’t want our neighbors to have to make that choice,” said Fonbuena.
Fonbuena said with rising energy costs, people are in danger of being cold again this winter. A business committed to being a good neighbor, Fonbuena said this was the company’s way of doing its part to make a difference.
“First Wind is a clean-energy company. We’ve made donations to the Mars Hill Fire Department, the International Appalachian Trail and toward local ATV trails,” he said. “It’s part of our (First Wind’s) duty as a member of the community.”
The company planned four donations throughout the state to help those most in need this winter.
“We want to help those who need help just to get by. We’re going to try to provide some of that assistance,” said Fonbuena.
Matt Kearns, vice president of development for First Wind, said the company is committed to the development of new sources of clean wind energy for the people of Maine, but officials with First Wind also recognizes the challenges many families will face this winter as they cope with the rising home heating costs associated with traditional fuel sources.
“We are pleased to make this donation to ACAP, which is part of our larger effort to support existing programs across Maine that provide financial assistance to residents in need,” said Kearns.
First Wind’s donation, according to Kearns, will be allocated toward ACAP’s Keep Maine Warm Fund-Aroostook, which provides financial assistance to income-eligible households for emergency fuel delivery or an electrical disconnect emergency.
Connie Sandstrom, executive director of ACAP, said it’s no secret winters in Aroostook County are long and harsh. Donations like First Wind’s will make winter more bearable for those least able to afford to stay warm.
“The cost to heat a home is at its highest rate ever. We’ll continue our efforts to help those in need,” said Sandstrom.
“With the price of heating oil rising so dramatically this year, the funding we receive from the government to provide heating assistance to low-income county people is just not going as far,” said Sandstrom. “Contributions from companies such as First Wind will help us fill some of those gaps and, in this case, the money will help us support the most urgent cases through our Keep Maine Warm Fund-Aroostook.”
Baillargeon said ACAP has been providing such assistance since 1981 and hopes to continue to do so for years to come. But to do so, the agency relies, in part, on community support through donations like First Wind’s.
“We (ACAP officials) want to make it known it will be a very tough winter. We appreciate First Wind’s donation. Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so, it’s tax deductible,” said Baillargeon.
“The $7,500 will go a ways in helping those families at their wit’s end in trying to make ends meet,” Baillargeon said.
“On behalf of those who will have their home warmed by this gift, we are very grateful,” said Sandstrom.
For more information, contact ACAP at 764-3721.
First Wind is also donating $7,500 each to the following heating assistance programs this winter:
• Washington Hancock Community Agency THAW – Washington and Hancock counties, THAW FUND;
• Penquis – Penobscot, Piscataquis and Knox counties, Penquis Keep ME Warm Fund; ad
• Community Concepts – Oxford and Androscoggin counties, Keep Oxford County Warm Fund.
First Wind owns and operates the largest utility-scale operating wind farm in New England, the 42 MW Mars Hill Wind project. First Wind is also constructing the 57 MW Stetson Wind project near Danforth, which is expected to begin commercial operations at the end of 2008.
First Wind is an independent North American wind energy company focused exclusively on the development, ownership and operation of wind energy projects. First Wind is based in Newton, Mass., and has a corporate office in Portland.
For more information on First Wind, visit www.firstwind.com.