By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
OAKFIELD, Maine — Saying the proposed wind project “could transform the town” with a potential $10 million tax boost over 20 years and an as yet undetermined Community Benefit Fund, Dale Morris, town manager of Oakfield, added that there is still a great deal to be settled over the next few months.
Thirty of the 800 or so residents, however, are already reaping the benefits of First Wind’s interest in developing its second wind project in Aroostook County by leasing their land to the Massachusetts-based company awaiting approvals from various government agencies.
A town meeting sometime in June or July, according to Morris, will sort out the details of tax incentives and other issues. The company’s application for a permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection last Wednesday is pending.
John Lamontagne, spokesperson for First Wind, said it’s too early to talk specifics about the proposed 34 1.5 MW turbines that could be constructed in the town. However, Lamontagne did say, typically, it takes about a year from the time of approval until construction completes on a project comparable to the one in Mars Hill. Based on that site, the Oakfield project could potentially create 300 short-term construction jobs and six permanent jobs. The power generated by the wind turbines would be sent to the New England grid.
Lamontagne also said although Aroostook County is a good area for wind power, it does not have an exclusive on First Wind’s interest in land leases and development.
“Maine is an area of focus for us,” explained Lamontagne who said “we’re excited about other projects in the pipeline over the next couple of years.” In addition to the Oakfield project, they include the expansion of Stetson Wind near Danforth in Washington County, Longfellow in Oxford County’s Rumford and the Rollins Project near Lincoln in Penobscot County.
