August 24, 2010
Massachusetts

Developers of proposed windmill project in Brimfield to explain proposal to residents

www.masslive.com 23 August 2010

BRIMFIELD – The developers of a proposed eight to 10 windmill project in this community have scheduled a public meeting in town Monday night to outline the project.

First Wind, a Boston-based wind energy developer, has scheduled a community meeting for 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Hitchcock Free Academy at 2 Brookfield Road.

According to a statement on the company’s website, First Wind has worked with town officials and community members to put up a meteorological pole on West Mountain Road to provide a more accurate measurement of the available wind.

“If the wind resource is adequate, we will continue to work with the local community to develop Brimfield Wind, which will be located on West Mountain, just north of Route 20,” the company statement reads.

As proposed, the project would consist of up to 10 turbines producing up to 30 megawatts of electricity, making it the largest land-based facility in Massachusetts, the company says. “Wind power from the proposed facility would connect to the New England electrical grid and direct clean power to homes in Massachusetts and New England.”

Company spokesman John Lamontagne, addressing concerns that some opponents have to windmill projects, said while turbines emit some sound, a well-sited project would minimize that effect. He said developers would rely on existing logging roads, although they would have to be widened.

Lamontagne also said there are benefits to a community like Brimfield including tax revenues and potential jobs. He said the Brimfield project could end up producing enough energy for about 10,000 homes.

“That’s clean, renewable power that doesn’t emit junk into the air,” he said.

Massachusetts’ Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles said the state needs to push ahead on all renewable energy fronts, from solar to wind, including onshore projects.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/08/24/developers-of-proposed-windmill-project-in-brimfield-to-explain-proposal-to-residents/