First Wind cites job benefit to area – Oakfield expects tax boost

    OAKFIELD, Maine — The independent wind-power company, First Wind, is in the process of developing a potential 55.5-megawatt project near the town of Oakfield and opened an office at 60A Ridge Rd. in that town last week. The project would produce enough energy to power more than 20,000 homes with clean  energy produced by wind turbines.
    Oakfield Town Manager Dale Morris says although various options are still being sorted out, the town expects to see “about $500,000 per year in tax revenue that will go to roads, town buildings and town equipment.” However, Morris cautiously warns that because of variables, “it could all change tomorrow.”
Matt Kearns, vice president of business development for First Wind said: “The development of clean, renewable energy will bring new jobs and other economic benefits to the surrounding area, and we are looking forward to working with members of the community to make it happen.”
The Newton, Mass. company owns and operates the 42-megawatt Mars Hill Wind project in Aroostook County and the 57-megawatt Stetson Wind project in Washington County near Danforth. The company has filed permit applications for a proposed 25.5-megawatt expansion at Stetson Wind and a 60-megawatt Rollins Wind project near Lincoln in Penobscot County.