UPC Wind commemorated the first year of full commercial operations for Mars Hill Wind at a one-year anniversary event. In its first year of operation, the site has generated enough power for more than 19,000 New England homes.

At the an event hosted by UPC Wind and the Maine Department of Conservation at the Big Rock Ski Area in Mars Hill, Maine Governor John E. Baldacci spoke about the project and provided insight into the future development of wind power and other renewable energy in Maine.

Since beginning commercial operations on March 27, 2007, Mars Hill Wind has generated more than 133,500,000 kilowatt hours of clean electricity and a corresponding number of Green-e certified Renewable Energy Certificates. RECs are credits that individuals, institutions or businesses can buy to compensate for the amount of nonrenewable, greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels – such as coal, oil and natural gas – used in their vehicles, homes, offices or other facilities.

UPC Wind expects to begin operations of Stetson Wind by the end of 2008. It is currently under construction about 65 miles south of Mars Hill, near Danforth, Maine.

Highlights and benefits of the Mars Hill Wind site, based on its first full year of operations, include:

Operation Highlights –

• Since commencing commercial operations on March 27, 2007, the Mars Hill Wind Farm has generated over 133 million kilowatt hours (kWh).
• The renewable power generated is sufficient to supply clean, renewable electricity to more than 19,000 New England homes.

Environmental Benefits –

• The clean energy produced by Mars Hill Wind is the equivalent of burning approximately more than 260,000 barrels of oil or 70,000 tons of coal per year, yet has none of the associated toxicity, health, or cost issues.
• Based on data recently published by the U.S. EPA’s Emissions and Generation Resource Integrated Database (E-GRID), traditional New England fossil fuel generation sources producing an equivalent annual amount of electric energy would emit greenhouse gases consisting of nearly 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
• To put this in perspective, the amount of CO2 avoided is equivalent to the annual emissions of over 10,500 cars or over 7,500 SUVs.
• In addition, equivalent energy production from traditional sources would produce approximately 158 tons of sulfur dioxide and 65 tons of nitrogen oxide. Both SO2 and NOx cause acid rain, which harms our lakes and rivers.
• The Maine Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail restored their trail along the length of Mars Hill Mountain in 2007 and made needed improvements to the hiker’s shelter located on the south summit, supported in part by a donation from UPC Wind.
• The Natural Resources Council of Maine hosted two well-attended field trips for their membership in 2007 that included a bus tour of the facility, a locally-catered luncheon with guest speakers, and visits with local residents.

Economic Investments and Benefits –

• After taking into account amounts spent during the development and construction of Mars Hill Wind, approximately $22 million has been spent with Maine-based businesses and organizations.
• Local property tax bills have dropped approximately 20 percent due to the $500,000 a year in local taxes UPC Wind is paying to the Town of Mars Hill. In total, that is $10 million in tax payments paid to the Town over the next 20 years.
• UPC Wind hires locally whenever possible and employed over 300 local residents during construction of Mars Hill Wind. In addition, 6 full time jobs have been created on site.
• Local businesses such as Al’s Diner, the Bear Paw Inn, convenience stores and garages have felt the benefits of the project as contractors and wind turbine technicians live, work and spend time in Mars Hill.
• Snowmobilers are routing their trips through Mars Hill to see the wind turbines (County Crossroad Magazine, March 2008), which results in additional spending in town.

Sound Measurements and Evaluation –

• UPC Wind recently filed its third quarterly Sound Level Study with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The study, conducted by technical consultant Resource Systems Engineering, includes comprehensive, detailed sound measurements and analysis of both existing ambient conditions and wind farm operations. The findings were benchmarked against the 2003 sound level estimates relied upon by the DEP in issuing the Mars Hill Wind site location permit.
• As was the case with the previous two reports, the third Sound Level Study confirmed that both ambient sound levels and sound levels from wind farm operations are generally consistent with the findings of the DEP in its original order approving the construction of the wind farm. UPC Wind continues to closely monitor sound levels at the site.