Construction work continues on turbines

   OAKFIELD, Maine — Sergeant Construction has been blasting ledge and laying groundwork for the last few weeks for 40 windmill turbines in Oakfield and eight more in T4R3, as the First Wind Oakfield project is underway. Also involved in the project will be Reed and Reed of Woolwich.
So far there has not been many problems arise and First Wind is following protocol with the installation of the turbines. First Wind has adopted a Wind Energy Facility Operations Ordinance that addresses sound and other compliance matters.
Many of the turbines will be located on a ridge about three miles from Pleasant Pond and Mattawamkeag Lake. The turbines are similar to the ones First Wind erected at Mars Hill and Danforth and reach a height of nearly 400 feet. A portion of the windmills would be visible from Interstate 95.
The project cost is between $350 million to $375 million and is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.
Some residents were opposed to the installation of the turbines prompting a lawsuit, which Protect Our Lakes and the Forest Ecology Network, both nonprofit groups, and people who own camps in the area sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of the Interior on Oct. 29, 2013.
The lawsuit claimed the wind project, which was approved by Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection, would endanger bald eagles and Atlantic salmon. It also alleged the proposed project violated the International Migratory Bird Treaty, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
The lawsuit is still pending, according to Oakfield Town Manager Dale Morris.
“Some were opposed to the project,” said John LaMontagne, spokesman for First Wind. “But it was a pretty normal process. We are pleased that we are able to move forward with the project.”
First Wind has leased property from landowners, with  First Wind owning a house and the lot for the operations and maintenance building.
First Wind announced it had signed long-term power-purchase agreements with four Massachusetts utilities to provide them with electricity generated by the wind farm in Oakfield and another under development in Somerset County.
The power will be exported onto the New England “ISO grid,” which requires the construction of a transmission line from Oakfield to Chester.
“Wind energy doesn’t produce any pollution, doesn’t require any mining, drilling, fracking … it is simply turning the wind into electricity,” explained Lamontagne. “Wind power is clean and it’s completely renewable.
“In addition, it is important for the region to have a good mix of energy sources.  Right now, a lot of the energy generated in Maine and New England comes from gas-fired power plants. As the cost of gas fluctuates, renewable energy projects like the one in Oakfield will serve as a hedge against increasing prices of fossil fuels.”
First Wind operates five wind farms in Maine, including Mars Hill Wind in Aroostook County, Rollins Wind in Penobscot County, Bull Hill Wind in Hancock County and Stetson Wind I & II in Washington County, according to its website.
“We’re excited to be taking a step forward on the Oakfield project and appreciate the tremendous support we’ve had from a number of people in Oakfield since we started this process,” added Lamontagne.