A Wind Powering America Project Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

New England Wind Takes a Wild Ride

The past several months have been full of news on the regional 

wind power development front. The Stetson Ridge and Kibby 

Mountain Wind Projects in Maine received approvals from 

the Land Use Regulation Commission (these projects would 

constitute the two largest wind farms in New England). Under 

development since 1989, the Maine Mountain wind project was 

denied the same approval despite substantially downsizing the 

proposed project in an attempt to address objections. While the 

Lempster (New Hampshire) Wind Project weathered an appeal 

and construction has begun, key permits granted are now under 

appeal for the Sheffield (Vermont) and Hoosac (Massachusetts) 

wind projects. The Berkshire Wind project (under development 

since 1998) got a breath of fresh life as the project was purchased 

by a local utility group and two pending lawsuits are expected to 

be resolved. The Minerals Management Service issued its longawaited draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Cape Wind 

project, and a flurry of community-scale and customer-sited wind 

turbine projects took significant steps. 

Yet just when New England wind development activity is 

taking off, a range of external influences, some of which plague 

the entire electric power sector, present a continuing source 

of friction. Cost increases (driven by global increases in raw 

materials and labor costs, and worsening exchange rates) and 

wind turbine scarcity (due to skyrocketing global demand) are 

overtaking long-term technical progress and cost decline trends, 

derailing some projects and slowing others while developers scour 

the globe for equipment to move forward. These challenges are 

compounded by the uncertainty over whether expiring tax credits 

will be extended, freezing turbine orders in the face of uncertain 

project economics. 

Regional demands for wind power continue to increase. Maine, 

New Hampshire, and Connecticut have adopted new or expanded 

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPSs), and Massachusetts is 

considering enhancing its RPS. Regional greenhouse gas regulations that rely on substantial quantities of wind power development in setting their targets are being adopted. To meet the 

growing demand, state government and stakeholder initiatives 

— including wind power task forces, commissions, and working 

In This Issue

•	 New England Wind Takes a Wild Ride... p. 1

•	 Wind Policy Update... p. 2

•	 State Policy Updates... p. 2

•	 Regional Wind Development Update... p. 4

•	 Perspectives... p. 8

•	 Technical Challenges... p. 10

•	 Small Wind Corner... p. 11

•	 Hot Topics... p. 11

•	 Cool Links... p. 13

•	 Wind Events... p. 13

Looking south down the 

spine of Mars Hill at a 

dozen wind turbines 

(and one communications 

tower) at UPC’s Mars 

Hill Wind Power facility. 

(Photo credit: Dave Wilby, 

IEPM/PIX15569)
2 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

groups — are developing effective processes and infrastructure for enabling wind development while minimizing undue 

adverse effects on communities and other natural resources’ 

values and uses. In northern New Hampshire and Maine, plans 

are being considered to expand the transmission system to enable 

access to much of the region’s wind power potential. Yet to 

enable such expansions, changes to transmission policies may 

be required to accommodate generation projects that do not 

have the luxury of choosing to locate where adequate transmission exists. Meanwhile, ISO-New England, the operator of the 

regional electric grid, is initiating a series of studies to understand 

and prepare for the potential for rapid wind power expansion 

throughout the region. 

Many issues affect wind turbine siting, and public acceptance 

is central among them. In some cases, issues must be addressed 

as the region gains more experience. Some locations are appropriate for wind turbines, others are not. When wind projects are 

proposed in communities, it is not uncommon for conflicting and 

sometimes misleading information to be circulated. The New 

England Wind Forum is continually attempting to identify issues 

for which an objective source of information would assist communities in making good decisions. As we do, NEWF will (subject 

to available funding) seek to fill the gap by developing Web site 

content summarizing objective and balanced information on such 

topics and highlight new content in NEWF newsletters. In this 

issue, we begin to address misplaced concerns that wind power’s 

variability will eradicate any expected benefit. In the Technical 

Challenges section, we highlight a recent interview with the head 

of the largest electric grid operator in the country, addressing 

wind farms and their role on the electric grid. 

This newsletter will bring readers up to date on all of these 

activities.

Wind Policy Update

Update on Federal Incentives and Policies for Wind

Production Tax Credit (PTC): The federal PTC is scheduled 

to expire on December 31, 2008. While a 1-year PTC extension worth $5.5 billion was proposed in the Senate’s economic 

stimulus package in mid-February, it did not gather the necessary 

votes for passage. With expiration looming, uncertainty among 

investors and manufacturers translates immediately into development delays for projects scheduled for construction in 2009 and

beyond. This dramatic slow-down will threaten thousands of jobs, 

and the boom-bust cycle caused by short-term policy-making 

for renewable energy will continue to limit healthy, sustainable 

growth in the industry. 

Federal RPS: While the U.S. House of Representatives passed 

energy legislation in 2007 that included a 15% by 2020 national

Renewable Energy Standard (RES), the Senate failed to follow 

suit — despite its passage of RES bills in previous years and 

majority support for the proposed 15% RES. RES proposals

may meet further delays this year as supporters encounter the 

traditional slow-down leading up to the presidential election.

State Policy Updates

Massachusetts 

Major energy legislation under development: The 

Massachusetts legislature is considering major energy legislation, 

which could have significant implications for wind energy in 

New England. The Massachusetts House of Representatives 

unanimously passed HB 4373, An Act Relative to Green

Communities in November 2007, and the Senate passed a

different version of the bill (SB 2468, An Act to Generate

Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now) in January 2008. As of

February 2008, the bill is in joint conference committee, and

while both legislative leaders and the Governor have underscored

the importance of passing a comprehensive energy bill in 2008,

it is not clear when the consolidated legislation will be released. 

Key provisions that are similar in both bills include: (1) increasing 

the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) target by 1% per year

after 2009 (indefinitely), (2) directing the utilities to establish

a pilot program for long-term contracts with renewable energy 

facilities, (3) increasing the net metering thresholds and allowing

aggregate net metering, and (4) creating a Class 2 RPS requirement. The bills differ with respect to: (A) which types of hydroelectric facilities are eligible for the Class 1 RPS, (B) whether the 

importation of RPS-qualifying Renewable Energy Certificates 

(RECs) from adjacent control areas should be severely limited, 

and (C) the extent to which electricity generation and transmission 

should be a permitted use in Ocean Sanctuaries. In addition, the 

Senate bill would require a portion of the Class 1 RPS requirement to come from on-site generation and would allow the 

utilities to own up to 50 MW of renewable generation by 2010.

Changes proposed to state waterways laws in support of 

offshore wind: On December 10, 2007, Governor Patrick’s

administration proposed changes to the Chapter 91 waterways 

protection laws, including declaring as “water dependent” the 

underwater transmission cables used by offshore renewable 

energy projects to connect to the wholesale electric grid. This 

designation could afford offshore wind projects more favorable 

and timely consideration at the Department of Environmental

Protection. 

New wind energy cooperative established: A new entity 

called the Massachusetts Municipal Light Department Wind

Energy Cooperative has been established to assist Massachusetts 

municipal utilities with the development and financing of 

wind energy projects. The cooperative was created by the 

Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) 

and the Princeton Municipal Light Department. The cooperative’s initial success was obtaining $7 million in financing for an

upgrade of the Princeton utility’s 23-year-old wind farm in central

Massachusetts. It is also in the process of acquiring the Berkshire 

Wind Project (see the Project Updates section). 

Connecticut 

Long-term REC contracts under development: In September 

2007, the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) invited

interested parties to file for status in its examination of electric 
3 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

distribution company contracts for RECs (Docket No. 07-06-61).

The DPUC has initiated a multi-step process, commencing with

hearings in early February, to address the requirements established by the legislature’s creation of this contested case. The 

DPUC expects the evaluation of the potential for long-term REC

contracts to be an extended and iterative process. As the first 

step in this process, the DPUC received written comments on

issues including the method and timing of the procurement for 

RECs to be used to meet renewable portfolio standards, terms 

and conditions to be imposed on REC suppliers, and the impact 

of long-term REC contracts on price stability, fuel diversity, and 

electric costs. Comments were filed by interested parties in late 

November 2007, with the utilities and the Office of Consumer

Counsel opposing entry into long-term REC contracts, and wind 

developers supporting them. Subsequently, in response to legislation requiring Connecticut utilities to jointly prepare 10-year

integrated resource plans (IRPs), the state’s investor-owned utilities submitted an IRP to the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board, 

which acknowledged the potential role of long-term contracts 

with renewables in reducing uncertainty and lowering rates.

Rhode Island

National Grid opens discussion on long-term contracts 

for renewable energy: The Rhode Island Public Utilities 

Commission (RIPUC) has directed the formation of a stakeholder working group and the development of a new approach 

for National Grid to acquire RECs for the new standard offer

period commencing January 1, 2010. At its January 22, 2008

meeting, the working group discussed draft legislative language 

that would direct National Grid to establish a long-term

contracting program for renewable energy that is similar to 

a proposal currently under discussion in the Massachusetts 

legislative process. Contracts would be financed using National 

Grid’s balance sheet.

Offshore wind stakeholder process concludes: During summer

2007, Governor Carcieri initiated invitation-only stakeholder

discussions on development of wind farms off the shore of 

Rhode Island. The stakeholder process consisted of four 

meetings between August and October, with attendees including 

town and city representatives, environmental organizations, 

local economic development organizations, and commercial 

fishing interests, as well as other entities contributing technical information to the process (state government agencies, 

U.S. Coast Guard, university representatives, National Grid,

consultants to the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources). 

While none of the potential offshore sites were eliminated 

from further consideration by the stakeholders group, the 

process resulted in identifying some differentiating issues 

among the sites being considered. At the conclusion of the 

process, all areas still appeared viable if site-specific issues 

and concerns could be effectively managed. Recommended 

next steps include a thorough alternative site impact analysis, 

ongoing public participation, and the initiation of a scoping 

process for an Environmental Impact Report. The stakeholders 

have indicated their intent to continue collaborating on an 

ad hoc basis. For more information, see www.eere.energy.

gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/ne_astate_template.

asp?stateab=ri#initiatives

Net metering law implemented: The PUC has opened Docket

3904 to implement the new net metering law passed in 2007.

R.I.G.L. §39-26-6(g) mandates an increase in the maximum

allowable generation capacity for eligible net-metered energy 

system from 25 kW to 1 MW (and to 1.65 MW for eligible net

metered renewable energy systems owned by cities and towns of 

Rhode Island and the Narragansett Bay Commission). In addition, 

the new law increases the aggregate amount of net metering 

allowed on the system to a minimum of 5 MW and provides 

that at least 1 MW be reserved for projects less than 25 kW.

New Hampshire

PUC issues final RPS rules: On April 23, 2008, the New

Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC) issued final 

rules <http://www.seadvantage.com/Documents/Eyes_and_

ears_Library/NH/NH%20RPS%20Rules%20-%20final.pdf>

implementing the New Hampshire Electric Renewable Portfolio 

Standard (NHPUC DRM 07-089) adopted by the legislature in

2007. The PUC took comments and held public hearings and

technical sessions during January.

NHPUC advocates for transmission study: The NHPUC is 

advocating for ISO-New England to conduct a study to integrate 

new renewable electric generation (particularly for northern New 

Hampshire) and is seeking the support of other New England 

regulators. The overall purpose would be to develop a framework to analyze potential transmission upgrades to integrate new 

renewable electric generation resources, including the possibility 

of increased imports from no- or low-carbon emission generation 

resources from outside New England, particularly Québec and 

the provinces of Atlantic Canada.

Maine

Wind task force delivers final report to governor: In 2007,

Governor Baldacci created a task force on wind power development in Maine, tasked to recommend any regulatory changes 

necessary to ensure that Maine has a balanced, efficient, and 

appropriate framework for evaluating proposed developments. 

After conducting meetings over the past several months, the task 

force delivered a final report to Governor Baldacci on February

14, 2008, recommending streamlining of wind regulatory review

in specified locations comprising two-thirds of the state. The 

task force also established wind development goals of 2000 MW

by 2015 and 3000 MW by 2020. The final report includes maps

depicting areas of the state proposed for expedited state agency 

review to encourage more wind development. In these locations, 

visual impacts would only be considered under limited circumstances. In other areas, wind development may still be possible but 

will not be eligible for expedited review. The task force report is a 

consensus document, with support from environmental organizations, wind power developers, a bipartisan group of legislators, 

and representatives from all key state agencies. In April, the major 

recommendations were passed unanimously by the legislature 

and signed into law. For more information, see www.eere.energy.
4 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/ne_astate_template.

asp?stateab=me#initiatives. 

As part of its work, the task force utilized a community wind 

subcommittee, comprised of several task force members interested 

in spending additional time to consider issues related to community- and individual-scale wind projects. Initial topics of conversation included developing a model ordinance, establishing a small 

wind rebate, and assisting communities in conducting feasibility 

studies for community-scale projects. 

New RPS tier becomes effective January 2008: Prior to the end 

of the 2007 session, state legislators passed and the Governor

signed Bill LD 1920, an Act to Stimulate Demand for Renewable

Energy, which established a requirement for a New Renewable 

Resource Portfolio Requirement, adding an additional “tier” to the 

state’s Eligible Resources Portfolio Standard, in effect since 2000.

The New Renewable Resource Portfolio Requirement requires 

each competitive electricity provider (including standard offer 

providers) to supply 10% of their retail electricity sales from new

renewable resources by 2017. The RPS takes effect with a 1%

requirement in 2008, increasing 1% annually to 10% of retail

electricity sales by 2017. Subsequently, the PUC opened a

rulemaking to implement the new RPS tier. In October 2007, the

Maine PUC issued a Final RPS Rule and Order Adopting Rule. 

Vermont

Legislative efforts resume: In the 2008 session, the legislature

has resumed discussion of several issues included in the energy 

bill that was vetoed at the end of the last session. During a special

session in summer 2007, the Senate passed S.209, which includes

a statewide property tax of $0.003/kWh for wind generation plants

over 5 MW (town taxes will be negotiated separately), a streamlined permitting process for meteorological towers, and increased 

state renewable energy goals. It gives the Public Service Board 

authority to set prices that utilities must take in contracts with 

renewable and high-efficiency CHP generators, increases the net 

metering limit to 250 kW for small wind, and allows for group net

metering. The bill passed the House and Senate in February and 

was signed by Governor Douglas on March 19, 2008.

Regional Wind 

Development Update

Maine

On January 3, 2008, Maine’s

Land Use Regulation 

Commission (LURC) voted 

unanimously to give final 

approval to UPC’s second 

Maine wind project: a proposed 

57-MW installation on Stetson 

Ridge in Washington County. 

On January 14, 2008, LURC

unanimously approved 

rezoning for the 132-MW

Kibby Mountain Wind Project, proposed by TransCanada for 

Kibby Township in the Boundary Mountains. LURC indicated 

that the project’s developers had addressed the commission’s 

concerns regarding road construction and the project’s potential 

impacts on birds and bats. Once operational, Kibby Mountain 

will become the largest wind project in New England. Earlier that 

day, however, the LURC voted to reject the application of Maine 

Mountain Power for its Black Nubble Wind Project (54 MW),

citing the project’s potential visual impacts as its leading reason. 

The Aroostook County Wind Project, proposed for several 

northern Maine potato farming communities, recently increased 

the total potential capacity under consideration from 500 MW to

800 MW. Project developers Horizon Wind Energy and Linekin

Bay Energy have erected numerous met towers to collect wind 

data but have not yet filed for permits to construct the project. 

Project proponents are also studying the cost and timing associated with the construction of a new transmission line to connect 

the project directly to the bulk power system operated by ISO 

New England. Permitting is expected to begin in 2008, with

construction planned over four phases commencing in 2010.

During fall 2007, newly formed Independence Wind announced

its first development, the Record Hill Wind Project, proposed 

for Byron and Roxbury. The proposal includes 25 turbines for

an installed capacity of up to 50 MW. Two met towers are in

place as of September 2007. Independence expects to conduct

permitting in 2008 and hopes to begin construction in 2009.

Separately, LURC has also approved met tower applications for a 

second Independence Wind project called Highland Plantation, 

as well as a Noble Environmental Power project located at 

Passadumkeag Mountain. 

Blades and towers for the 

Stetson Ridge Wind Project 

await installation. (Photo credit: 

Dave Wilby, IEPM/PIX15571 at 

left, and PIX15572 above)
5 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

Community-scaled wind energy development is also gaining 

traction in Maine. In September 2007, the Freedom, Maine

Board of Appeals voted unanimously to deny an appeal of the 

building permit issued to Beaver Ridge Wind Project developer 

Competitive Energy Services. In addition to its local building 

permit, the 4.5-MW project has also received a determination of

no hazard from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and 

is planning construction for fall 2008 or summer 2009, depending

on turbine availability. The Swan’s Island Electric Cooperative

is seeking a statutory change that would allow it to construct 

1 to 3 megawatts on this small island, where electric rates are

three times those on the mainland. 

Massachusetts

The 468-MW Cape Wind Project proposed for Nantucket Sound 

has been seeking permits since 2001. Most recently, the Minerals

Management Service (MMS) released its long-anticipated draft 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), concluding that the Cape 

Wind project was expected to create only “minor” impacts on 

wildlife, fish, and tourism. The altered ocean view from boats 

was the only “major” impact cited in the analysis. The Alliance 

to Protect Nantucket Sound said the report “missed the mark” 

and has now turned its attention toward air navigation and public 

safety as a potential means to further delay the project. A link to 

the draft EIS can be found on the Cape Wind page [www.eere.

energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/ne_project_

detail.asp?id=15] of the NEWF Web site. 

Jay Cashman Inc. subsidiary Patriot Renewables continues to 

pursue the 300-MW South Coast Offshore Wind Project located 

in Buzzard’s Bay. While the project intersects an area designated 

as marine sanctuary, energy legislation passed in November by the 

Massachusetts House of Representatives would clarify the ocean 

sanctuary statute by designating generation and transmission facilities for energy production via renewable resources as a permitted 

use in any of the commonwealth’s ocean sanctuaries other than 

the Cape Cod ocean sanctuary. The Senate version of the bill, 

passed in January, does not include such provisions. Legislative 

leaders have vowed to hold hearings on the topic as the bill goes 

through conference committee. The project will need to navigate 

both state and federal permitting processes. The federal permitting 

process will not likely begin until after the MMS develops 

a formal process for reviewing proposed offshore wind projects. 

Despite receiving its wetland permit in May 2004 and having that

permit re-affirmed in 2007, the Hoosac Wind Project remains 

the subject of legal appeal. The citizen group that challenged the 

Department of Environment Protection (DEP) permit has filed a

lawsuit in Massachusetts Superior Court against the developer 

and the DEP. Work continues with local utilities to approve the

transmission and interconnection plan. The project developer, 

recently merged PPM Energy and Iberdrola USA, is not expecting 

trouble with securing turbines and currently targets commercial 

operation in 2009.

Distributed Generation Systems Inc. has negotiated a purchase

and sale agreement for the sale of the Berkshire Wind Project

(in Hancock) to the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric 

Company (MMWEC). Financial closing is expected to occur 

by June 2008. Leading up to this sale, developer DisGen and

wind project neighbor Silverleaf Resorts settled a trespassing 

lawsuit in 2007, and Silverleaf also asked the U.S. District Court

in Springfield to dismiss its public nuisance lawsuit against 

the project. MMWEC is expected to complete permitting and 

construction by the end of 2009 and install 10 GE 1.5-MW

turbines, for a total capacity of 15 MW. 

In Wareham, local cranberry growers have partnered with 

Beaufort Windpower to develop the Bog Wind Power Project. 

By erecting one or two turbines scattered about several of the 

region’s oldest cranberry bogs, Beaufort Windpower and the 

cranberry growers hope to install a total of 10 to 16 megawatts

of wind turbines as well as generate additional income for the 

farmers. The project developer is currently collecting wind data. 

Commercial operation is not expected before 2010.

On January 3, the town of Savoy passed a bylaw permitting

wind power projects, removing the largest hurdle to the 12.5-MW

project proposed by Minuteman Wind, LLC. Minuteman is 

starting to move forward on securing a special permit from the 

town, meeting requirements of the new bylaws, and has entered 

discussions with investors and power purchasers. The project has 

3 years of wind data and has conducted numerous environmental

assessments. Access road design and turbine availability will 

affect project timing.

The Hull Municipal Light Plant is developing its third wind 

project. The Hull Offshore Wind Project, a planned four-turbine 

project with an expected capacity of 12 to 15 MW, has filed its

Environmental Notification Form (ENF) with the Massachusetts 

Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA). The Secretary of 

Energy and Environmental Affairs issued a MEPA Certificate 

in February 2007. The Certificate establishes the range of needed

environmental studies and calls for a Technical Working Group to

guide the study process. The project is targeting 2009 installation

and operation. However, the recent boom in onshore wind development has caused most wind turbine manufacturers to postpone 

development of their offshore turbine models. This development, 

combined with continuing increases in the estimated cost of 

constructing and maintaining offshore wind, could result in 

delays for the Hull project.

The Princeton Municipal Light Department is redeveloping its

1984 wind farm and replacing eight 40-kW machines with two

Fuhrlander 1.5-MW turbines. The 3-MW PMLD Wind Farm

is expected to produce approximately 40% of the town’s annual

electricity requirements. The town received final project approvals 

in July 2006, and while an official groundbreaking ceremony was

held in late August 2007 and site preparation has commenced,

limited turbine availability has delayed commercial operation 

until 2009. PMLD continues to make progress, however, having

worked through the newly formed Massachusetts Municipal 

Light Department Wind Energy Cooperative (PMLD and

MMWEC are the founding members) to secure debt financing 

from PeoplesBank in Holyoke, MA. The nearly $7 million in

financing includes a $1.5 million down payment to reserve the 

two turbines (ensuring an April 2009 delivery date).
6 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

A number of Massachusetts businesses and communities are 

actively developing wind power projects consisting of one 

or two commercial-scale wind turbine generators. Varian 

Semiconductor Equipment Associates received a favorable 

vote from the Gloucester City Council regarding its special

permit for the installation of two megawatt-scale turbines at 

the company’s Gloucester headquarters. Varian subsequently

received its Watershed Overlay District Protection permit and a

building permit from the Town Planning Board. Now that final 

approvals are in place, Varian will enter into a turbine supply 

arrangement for installation most likely in late 2009 (if turbine

availability permits). After running into complications with 

the FAA over the height of a proposed 1.5-MW turbine, Cape 

Cod Community College is now evaluating bids received in 

October 2007 in response to the college’s RFP for the installation of a single 250-kW to 900-kW turbine. A number of

other businesses are either in the advanced stages of permitting 

and design or are preparing to begin construction. Holy Name 

Catholic High School in Worcester and Williams’ Stone Co. 

in East Otis each hopes to install a 600-kW Vestas RRB turbine

in 2008. Forbes Park, a mixed residential and commercial use 

property in Chelsea, installed a 600-kW wind turbine in March

2008 but is still finalizing the electrical interconnection to the

grid. The Massachusetts Military Reservation (Otis Air Force 

Base) has obtained all major permits and is seeking a 1.5- or 

1.65-MW turbine. And Country Garden of Hyannis (100 kW),

the City of Medford (100 kW), the Town of Hanover (100

kW), Saint Mary’s Abbey (100 kW) and Big Apple Farm

(100 kW) in Wrentham, and both Woods Hole Oceanographic 

Institute (3 MW) and Woods Hole Research Center (100 kW)

in Falmouth are pursuing wind energy projects with funding 

from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. The Town 

of Chester Municipal Light Plant, which received a Clean 

Renewable Energy Bond (CREB) authorization from the U.S. 

Department of the Treasury, is planning to install one or two

1.5-MW wind turbines on town-owned land. Expanding on its 

initial plans to install a weather station and small wind turbine 

demonstration project at a local school, the Templeton Municipal 

Light & Water Co. has now completed a feasibility study and 

received a $2.16 million CREBs allocation. The municipal utility

plans to install (on district school property) and own a 1.5-MW 

turbine by the end of 2009. The turbine will provide electricity

to the municipal utility system, as opposed to being connected 

behind the school’s meter. 

The MTC has received proposals and made recommendations for 

funding under its fourth round of the Large On-Site Renewables 

Initiative (LORI). Ten wind projects totaling 7.7 MW applied for

design and construction grants and an additional 13 wind projects

applied for feasibility study grants. Funding was recommended 

for nine out of the ten design and construction grant applicants 

(totaling 6.2 MW). Ten out of the 13 feasibility study applications

were recommended for funding. At the time this newsletter went 

to press, not all awardees had been announced. Those projects that 

have made public announcements are listed above. Round 5 LORI 

applications were due to MTC in late February 2008. For more

information on the LORI program and past wind project awardees, 

see www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/

ne_projects_customer_sited.asp

A number of local community-sponsored projects are in various 

stages of feasibility analysis and planning for the construction of one or more wind turbines on municipal land. Most are 

participating in the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust 

Community Wind Collaborative (CWC), in which MRET pairs 

each community with technical consultants and funds technical, 

environmental, and economic feasibility analyses. The majority 

of participating municipalities are on Cape Cod. Eastham, 

Falmouth, Fairhaven, Lynn, and Orleans have completed their 

respective feasibility studies, including the temporary installation 

of meteorological towers to measure the wind resource characteristics. In Eastham, the Board of Selectmen has appointed a 

committee to develop a wind bylaw. The project is on hold until 

the bylaw can be completed and integrated into the remaining 

process. The town is considering a four-turbine installation, 

although the net metering portion of the pending energy bill 

currently may cause the town to rethink the size and location 

of the project. The Town of Falmouth has obtained the special 

legislation necessary to own and finance a 1.5-MW wind turbine 

proposed for its wastewater treatment facility. The town is in the 

process of obtaining several permits and completing additional 

studies in anticipation of releasing an RFP for project engineering, 

procurement, and construction in spring 2008.

In the City of Lynn, the FAA turned down an initial attempt to 

install a 1.5-MW turbine at the wastewater treatment plant due 

to height issues. The city is now reviewing the economics of a 

500- to 600-kW installation, as well as potential transmission

limitations. After more than 4 years of study and deliberation,

the commissioners of the Town of Orleans Water Board decided 

not to proceed with a 3.3-MW wind project installation, citing

insufficient financial benefits in the deal structure to justify their 

involvement. The town had studied project feasibility supported 

by funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, 

which had also purchased two Vestas 1.65-MW V-82 turbines

for the project. This outcome gives MTC very little to show for 

several years of involvement and more than $5 million in capital 

encumbrances, which will ultimately be redirected to other efforts. 

Orleans’ decision to forego the project is good news for the Town 

of Fairhaven, which is looking at installing a 3-MW, two-turbine

installation at the town’s wastewater treatment facility. MTC 

has agreed to redirect the two turbines previously dedicated to 

Orleans, subject to the project developer CCI Energy securing 

financial commitments. 

In addition, several CWC communities, including Brewster, 

Kingston, New Bedford, Plymouth, Rockport, Scituate, 

Wellfleet, Worcester, and Yarmouth currently have technical 

and economic feasibility studies under way. Additional information on the communities participating in the Community Wind 

Collaborative is available at http://masstech.org/project_List.

cfm?init=44. 
7 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

New Hampshire

An appeal of the Lempster Wind Project Certificate of Public 

Good, issued on June 28, was denied by the Site Evaluation

Committee. All timeframes for appeal have now passed, and the 

24-MW project is poised to move forward as New Hampshire’s

first modern commercial-scale wind farm. Project owner Iberdrola 

hopes to complete the project prior to the end of 2008. In New

Hampshire’s northern Coos County, Noble Environmental Power 

has up to 250 MW of prospective projects under study, including

the Granite Reliable Power Windpark, which is expected to 

host approximately 100 MW. This project is currently collecting

wind data. Noble’s other early-stage projects, as well as the early 

stage efforts of other wind and biomass developers in the New 

Hampshire North Country, appear to be heavily dependent on 

major enhancements to the network transmission system. Project 

developers, local economic development entities, state permitting 

agencies, the PUC, the legislature, and local utilities are involved 

in studying the technical and economic feasibility of expanding 

the transmission network in Coos County enough to accommodate 

an additional 400 MW of renewable generation.

Rhode Island

The Town of Portsmouth has completed 

a state-funded feasibility study and 

plans to install a 1.5-MW wind turbine 

generator at the Portsmouth high school. 

If all approvals and permits are obtained, 

project construction costs will be funded 

in part from the Town’s Clean Renewable 

Energy Bond (CREB) authorizations from 

the U.S. Treasury. The $2.6 million in

funds associated with the town’s CREBs 

authorization must be consumed within 

5 years. In addition, the RI Renewable 

Energy Development Fund (REDF) Board

of Trustees has approved a $400,000 lowinterest loan for the Portsmouth project. 

The loan is expected to be re-paid within 11 years. The REDF

Board also approved a wind feasibility study grant request from 

the Town of Westerly. The Narragansett Bay Commission

– another CREBs awardee – is proceeding with the technical 

evaluation of a single megawatt-scale turbine. Portsmouth 

Abbey School is preparing to celebrate the second anniversary 

of its operating 660-kW Vestas wind turbine on March 31, 2008.

In its first operating year, the turbine generated 1,300,000 kWhs

(a net capacity factor of approximately 22.5%) – supplying 40%

of the school’s electricity needs. During this period, the turbine

displaced almost $130,000 in retail electricity costs for the school

and provided additional revenues from sales of renewable energy 

credit and wholesale electricity back to the grid in excess of 

$93,000. Meanwhile, paralleling the state’s Rhode Island Energy

Independence initiative to meet 15% of the state’s energy from

wind power, Allco Renewable Energy Limited LLC has filed 

preliminary applications with the Rhode Island Coastal Resources 

Management Council for permits for four meteorological towers 

and four offshore wind projects totaling up to 338 turbines (one

south of Block Island, two south of Little Compton, and one east 

of Fishers Island). 

Vermont

On August 8, 2007, the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB)

granted a Certificate of Public Good (CPG) to UPC Wind’s

40-MW Sheffield Wind Project. In October, a local opposition 

group called Ridge Protectors filed an appeal of the CPG with

the Vermont Supreme Court, arguing that the PSB’s approval 

was based on a misapplication of Vermont law and otherwise 

strayed from findings of fact in the hearing record. The appeal 

is still pending. In addition, in late August, the Army Corps 

of Engineers initiated a project review. Due to the Corps’ jurisdiction over wetland areas (associated with the access road and 

electrical interconnection), UPC requires the Corps’ written

 authorization prior to commencing construction. Pending 

Status and capacity of New England wind projects by state. (Source: Sustainable Energy 

Advantage, LLC)

Road construction begins on the Lempster 

Wind Project. (Photo credit: Ibedrola Renewable 

Energies USA/PIX15574)
8 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

resolution of the appeal, UPC plans to commence project 

construction, consisting of 16 2.5-MW Clipper Liberty turbines,

in 2009. The Deerfield Wind Energy Project — a proposed 

expansion of the existing Searsburg Wind Farm into the Green

Mountain National Forest — is being developed through an 

extensive collaborative process between PPM Energy (now 

Iberdrola USA) and the U.S. Forest Service. Deerfield Wind

submitted a permit application to the Vermont PSB in accordance 

with Section 248 this past summer. The evaluation of a special

use authorization (permit) from the U.S. Forest Service is being 

conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

and, as a result, an Environmental Impact Statement is being 

prepared. Final decisions on both processes are expected by 

fall 2008. The project’s targeted online date is late in 2009.

In December 2007, Noble Environmental Power received

approval from the Public Service Board to install meteorological 

towers to measure the wind resource at a site on the border 

between West Rutland and Castleton, where Noble plans to 

develop up to 50 MW near Grandpa’s Knob.

Connecticut

In late 2007, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)

announced the award of a $49,000 grant to study the technical

and economic feasibility of installing a small wind turbine 

generator at the Hartford Hospital facility in Newington. 

The grant will contribute to the cost of site and wind resource 

evaluations, permitting, and community impact and economic 

analyses. In January 2008, the CCEF issued a Small Wind

Turbine Demonstration Program request for proposal (# CCEFSWTDP-001). The CCEF is seeking an experienced applicant

with in-depth knowledge of commercially available small wind 

technologies and project evaluation and monitoring experience 

to establish a Small Wind Turbine Demonstration Program. The

RFP can be reviewed at http://www.ctinnovations.com/funding/

ccef/smallwinddemo_RFP.php.

Perspectives: 

Brian Fairbank, 

President and CEO, 

Jiminy Peak Mountain 

Resort 

For his entire career, Brian 

Fairbank has developed 

and managed the Jiminy 

Peak Mountain Resort 

with great enthusiasm and 

environmental commitment. 

During his nearly 40 years 

at Jiminy, Brian has grown 

the mid-sized ski area into 

a successful, year-round resort that accommodates more than 

1,800 guests with top-notch customer service. The high water 

mark of Fairbank’s environmental initiatives came in July 2007 

with the installation of a 1.5-MW GE wind turbine generator 

(christened “Zephyr”) on the western slope of this Berkshires 

ski area. We spoke with Brian shortly after Zephyr’s public 

dedication, an interview revealing the determination and sense 

of purpose required to complete this project and make Jiminy 

Peak Mountain Resort the nation’s first ski area to install a 

wind turbine. 

Q. Why did you consider a wind turbine project at Jiminy 

Peak, as opposed to other potential sustainability 

projects? 

A. Sustainability initiatives are not new to Jiminy. We’ve been 

working hard to reduce our electricity consumption over the past 

15 years. It started with energy efficiency. Over the past 10 years,

the resort was able to reduce its annualized electricity consumption by 25%, from 9.4 to 7.0 million kWhs. Most of this savings

came from advances and efficiencies in our 

snow-making operation; further savings came 

from the resort-wide installation of compact 

fluorescent light bulbs and other energy-saving 

devices. We’ve also saved on fuel consumption 

via programmable thermostats and the capture 

of waste heat to warm our facilities. After 

completing these initiatives, we’ve captured all 

the “low-hanging fruit.” We thought the next 

appropriate step was to consider on-site renewable energy. As we began to educate ourselves on 

the options, we quickly learned that wind-generated electricity production would be at its greatest 

during the November to March period — corresponding exactly to our season of peak electricity 

demand. Since our greatest economic benefits 

will come from avoiding purchases from the grid, 

this convergence of production and consumption 

made a wind turbine the right choice.

Distribution of wind turbine sizes in New England projects. (Source: Sustainable Energy 

Advantage, LLC)

PIX15570
9 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

Q. Unlike most mountaintop wind farms, which build access 

roads, Jiminy used the existing infrastructure. Tell us 

about some of the unique challenges that resulted from 

this decision. 

A. We used an existing ski trail as the access road to the turbine 

location. This was attractive from an environmental perspective 

because far less clearing was required than for a new road. But 

the steep grade of the route – reaching an intimidating 27% pitch

at its maximum – combined with the unpaved trail presented a 

formidable challenge to the equipment used to haul the turbine 

components, compared to the 10% or 12% grade more typically

associated with wind turbine project access roads. The tower base 

was the first heavy component to attempt the ascent. When the 

truck pulling it began to slip, we stopped. A bulldozer was added 

for additional power and traction, and then another, and another 

on subsequent attempts, until two D8 bulldozers and two D6

bulldozers were assisting the tower base in its climb. The nacelle 

provided no less of a challenge – the frame of the trailer we had 

originally intended to use to haul it up the mountain bent on our 

first attempt, requiring us to build a custom trailer better capable 

of handling the weight. Once the ascent began, the team of bulldozers prevailed. The decision to use a ski trail as the sole route to 

the turbine also means that access may be limited by the weather 

in general (and equipment cannot access the turbine at all in the 

winter). Now that the turbine is installed and operating, we hope 

the most difficult logistics are behind us and that time will 

support our decision to use existing infrastructure. 

Q. Did you encounter any other unexpected challenges?

A. Looking back over the entire project, two additional challenges 

included procuring and delivering the turbine components and 

interconnecting to the local utility grid. Turbine procurement and 

delivery posed some interesting challenges. Originally, Jiminy 

put a 750-kW turbine out to bid. This original solicitation failed

due to lack of turbine availability in this size category. Following 

this initial attempt, we were fortunate to capture the interest of 

General Electric. Since GE only produced a 1.5-MW turbine, we

had to double the project capacity as compared to our original 

plan. Keeping up with the logistics of the turbine components was 

fascinating – the tower came from Quebec, the blades from Brazil, 

electronics from Tehachapi (California), and the nacelle from 

Europe. With respect to interconnection, the challenges came in 

three parts. First, we spent approximately $500,000 reconfiguring

the resort’s internal electrical systems to capture the maximum 

benefit from turbine production in offsetting on-site electric usage. 

Second, we had to bear the cost of several upgrades to the utility 

transmission system in order to maintain safety and reliability 

requirements. 

Q. How was the public involved in the project, and how did 

they react?

A. People often ask us why we did not encounter more local 

resistance. I’d like to think that the answer is in part because we 

sought the input of local community leaders and residents before 

the project research and planning ever made it to the press. The 

first thing we did was host a coffee hour to discuss our plans and 

objectives and ask for our community’s feedback. I’ve lived in 

this community for 30 years, and I live within one mile of the

turbine. All of the community’s questions were my questions, 

and so this part of the process was very important. As a result of 

this initial meeting the conversation about Zephyr took the tone 

of a local business proposing a project to protect local jobs, be an 

environmental leader, and send a positive message to the region. 

While public comments ranged from concern to the characterization of the turbine as a “gorgeous piece of art,” the announcement 

to our community went more smoothly that we thought it would.

Q. How did your commitment to sustainability impact your 

review of the turbine’s expected environmental and 

aesthetic impact? 

A. At Jiminy, we’ve been looking at environmentally preferable 

alternatives for 30 years. This history of conservation, recycling,

and efficiency measures made it easier for us to consider the broad 

benefits of installing a wind turbine as compared to the specific 

site and local impacts. However, this perspective did little to quell 

months of anxiety over how the community would react. Shortly 

before we invited the community to talk about our plans, hurricane Katrina hit and global warming became consistent front-page 

news. In general, the community responded by supporting our 

wind project. The regional media response was far more extensive 

than we expected, but we are happy to tell our story if it helps 

others consider their environmental responsibilities and learn 

from our experience.

Q. What led the resort to decide to own the project, and 

would you make the same decision again? 

A. The value of producing the electricity on-site and offsetting grid purchases was enough to entice us to want to own the 

project. We would not have been able to capture nearly this value 

if a third party owned the turbine and sold us the power. For the 

power we sell back to the wholesale grid (approximately 50% of

the project’s total output of 4.6 million kWhs) we are also able to

make use of the federal Production Tax Credit, which is typically 

one of the drivers for third-party ownership. However, convincing 

ourselves that we wanted to own the project was easier than 

convincing our lenders. I can’t overstate the importance of doing 

the research necessary to gain the comfort of your banker. From 

our bank’s perspective (and ours for that matter), Jiminy Peak is 

not in the energy business, we are in the tourism business, and we 

cannot risk over-leveraging that businesses with an energy project. 

Our bank required us to roll this project into our long-term capital 

expenditures plan and demonstrate that the resort as a whole 

was not taking on more debt than it could reasonably repay. The 

financial support we received from the Massachusetts Technology 

Collaborative was critical in gaining our lender’s support – particularly as it related to providing assurance of long-term Renewable 

Energy Credit value. All in all, we would look to own the project 

again if we had it to do over.
10 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

 Q. What advice would you give to other ski areas and 

resorts considering wind power? 

A. First, make sure you get the right consultant to be your 

advocate and guide you through the process. This person should 

be able to perform some initial environmental assessments and 

understand the grid interconnection issues and project economics 

in order to get your financers on board early in the process. Next, 

determine whether you have internal support from your resort’s 

management team. Assuming you have critical mass, identify 

a project champion to shepherd the project, not only during the 

development and construction phases but throughout the turbine’s 

operating life. Finally, don’t plan your access route up a 27%

grade. We did it, but we also got more than we bargained for.

Q. With this initial success behind you, would you consider 

constructing another turbine at Jiminy?

A. Jiminy doubled its long-term debt obligations installing this 

turbine. As we pay down this debt over time, we may consider 

installing another turbine. Changes in net metering rules over time 

could accelerate this process, but in either case, I think we need 

to take the next 4 to 5 years to fully integrate and optimize this

initial undertaking. We are extremely proud of our turbine and 

have no regrets. While we spend most of our time talking about 

the project’s environmental merits, it is important to realize that 

the decision to construct was based first on the economics. This 

is a financially sound investment and overall one of the best 

things Jiminy has done in its history.

For more information, please see http://green.jiminypeak.com/

page.php?PageID=295

Technical Challenges

Wind power is by its nature variable, and as a result, it differs 

from the majority of generation supplying the electric grid. 

Aspects of this variability are often cited as shortcomings. For 

instance, the fact that wind power will not be as regularly and 

reliably available at system peak times as most other generators 

is sometimes used to argue that wind power requires additional 

backup resources by other generation on a one-to-one basis. And 

wind’s relatively moderate capacity factor (a ratio of the total 

energy output relative to the theoretical sustained peak output) 

is sometimes used to characterize wind generators as inefficient. 

It’s been stated that other generation will have to be operated in 

such an inefficient manner to react to wind that it will not reduce 

fossil fuel usage or emissions. Here we address concerns that 

wind power’s variability will eradicate any expected benefit.

It is critical to understand two aspects of the electricity grid and 

the generation mix connected to is. First, the grid operates on a 

basis of shared reserves. The quantity of capacity or operating 

reserves needed is determined by the grid operators on an aggregate basis, based on the variability of load and the scale and 

characteristics of resources on the grid. Rules for operating the 

electricity market compensate generators for the benefits they 

bring and ensure that enough reserves exist to keep the lights on. 

Second, the electric generation resources in the region contribute 

in different ways to cost minimization and reliability, as well as 

resource diversity and environmental factors. They also have a 

wide range of capacity factors. Baseload generators (coal, nuclear) 

have capacity factors of more than 80%; at the opposite extreme,

peaking generators (diesel generators and gas turbines) throughout 

the region are prepared to support the rest of the grid, but at an 

extremely high cost. Some of these may operate only a few hours 

per year (capacity factors from 0%-10%). Other “intermediate”

generators provide spinning operating reserves, ramping up and 

down quickly to balance load and generation, reacting to the 

variability of load and stepping up in the event of unscheduled 

generation outages. In fact, the average capacity factor of all 

generation in the New England Power Pool in 2006 was approximately 43%1. In comparison, wind generators’ average capacity 

factor falls in the 20% to 40% range depending primarily on their

location. Every generator connected to the New England Power 

Pool grid receives a different combination of revenues for contributing energy, capacity, and “ancillary services” (which includes 

operating reserves). Baseload generators will receive substantial 

revenues for energy and capacity, but many provide no operating 

reserves. Peaking generators may receive most of their revenues 

in capacity and ancillary service markets and little for energy 

generated. 

Seen in this light, wind generation is not inefficient, as sometimes argued, just because it has a lower capacity factor than 

baseload generators. By that standard, the grid as a whole would 

be deemed inefficient. Rather, like other resource-limited generation (such as the run-of-river hydroelectric generators that have 

contributed to the regional supply mix for nearly a century), wind 

contributes less to meeting peak demand. The critical question as 

to the economic efficiency of any generation plant is how much 

value it contributes relative to what it costs. Wind is primarily an 

energy resource, getting paid for the energy it contributes to the 

grid which does not need to be generated by fossil fuel combustion; wind also receives modest capacity value recognizing its 

statistical contribution to reliability. In practice, wind displaces 

fossil fuel usage whenever the wind blows in exchange for a very 

small increase in system operating costs. Studies of the actual or 

potential impact of wind at high penetrations have shown that this 

increase in system operating costs – which may include a slight 

increase in quantity of generation “idling” in the system at less 

than its optimal efficiency – constitute a very small fraction of 

fossil fuel displaced. Greater use of wind forecasting will allow

system operators to have greater confidence about when wind 

will generate and will further minimize generating “idling.” 

A recent interview with Karl Pfirrmann of the PJM 

Interconnection (the entity charged with operating the largest 

electric operating system in the country) provides an excellent, 

detailed, objective, and accurate point-by-point explanation of 

the role of wind on the electric grid. The description provided 

————————————

1 Calculated from data in the NEPOOL 2007-2016 Forecast Report of

Capacity, Energy, Loads and Transmission (April 20007).
11 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

in the interview is applicable in general to the New England 

grid, although the fossil generation displaced by wind will vary 

depending on where a wind plant is located (in PJM it is mostly 

coal that is displaced; in New England, it’s mostly natural gas). 

The interview addresses many of the most common topics of 

inaccurate information regarding wind power’s contribution to the 

electric system. Click here to read the interview: www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ne_technical_challenges.asp

More information on systems integration:

IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, November/December 2005.

Vol. 3 No. 6. www.ieee.org/organizations/pes/public/2005/nov/

index.html

IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, November/December 2007.

Vol. 5 No. 6. www.ieee.org/organizations/pes/public/2007/nov/

index.html

Small Wind Corner

Studies underway for wind turbines at six Boston schools: 

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino announced in January that six 

city schools are studying the installation of wind turbines for 

both electricity-generating and educational purposes. The mayor 

stressed that there will be extensive community meetings before 

any turbine installations are approved. Government and school

officials hope the turbines can demonstrate the opportunities 

available for students who pursue careers related to developing 

and implementing renewable energy technologies.

Saco, Maine adds another turbine: The Town of Saco recently 

installed its second municipally owned wind turbine, a 50-kW

turbine at the local train station. This first turbine (1.8 kW) is 

installed at the waste treatment facility.

Wind for Schools resources now available: The Wind for 

Schools Program, a Wind Powering America Project, has released 

the following list of resources for teachers, administrators, 

students, parents, and communities interested in exploring wind 

power for their schools.

Wind for Schools: A Wind Powering America Project 

www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/41966.pdf

Wind for Schools: Power Systems Brief

www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/pdfs/

wpa/schools_wind_brief.pdf

Wind for Schools: State by State Activities

www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/

schools_projects.asp

Hot Topics

•	 Expanding network transmission: Due to the location of

windy land, land use patterns, and population density of 

the region, many new renewable energy projects (wind and 

biomass) have been proposed for the northern portions of New 

Hampshire and Maine, areas lacking transmission infrastructure. This trend has created a need to enhance the network 

transmission system in these areas. Yet to enable such expansions, policy changes may be required for allocating the cost 

of new transmission upgrades to interconnect future generation projects that wish to come online at similar grid locations. 

These policies also preclude building transmission in anticipation of projects, a process that leads to delay because wind 

projects take less time to build than the required transmission. 

As a result, the permitting process and cost allocation for new 

transmission is a topic of conversation in both New Hampshire 

and Maine. ISO New England will be working with the New 

England states and industry stakeholders to implement new 

provisions of its Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) 

that call for economic needs studies that will help to 

assess the value of adding remote renewable resources 

to the region’s electricity supply mix. The ISO expects the 

New England states to request studies of this nature for Maine 

and New Hampshire as well as offshore wind capability in 

New England.

•	 ISO New England gears up for anticipated regional wind 

power boom: ISO New England, the operator of the regional 

electric grid, is initiating a series of steps to understand and 

prepare for the potential for rapid expansion of wind power 

throughout the region. In spring 2007, the New ISO’s Power

Supply Planning Committee (PSPC) commissioned Levitan 

& Associates to conduct a Phase I Wind Study. This study 

identified a maximum theoretical potential for New England 

wind resources (approximately 60,000 MW onshore, 33,000

MW offshore). In fall 2007, the PSPC reviewed Levitan’s

proposed scope for Phase II study. The proposed Phase II 

Wind Study would concentrate on specific locations with the 

greatest wind energy potential in order to identify the highest 

energy-producing 15,000 MW of onshore resources and the

highest energy-producing 15,000 MW of offshore resources.

This analysis is intended primarily to better inform ISO-NE 

planning staff of wind potential locations to support a more 

informed assessment of where and how the transmission 

system might be expanded to integrate a significant quantity 

of wind generation.

 The ISO also recently announced the hiring of a new manager 

of renewable resource integration, whose job will include 

ensuring that the substantial volume of wind power under 

development can be smoothly accommodated in the control 

room. The ISO is planning to initiate a wind integration study, 

similar to studies done in other regions, in the late 2008/early

2009 time frame.
12 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

•	 Proposed wind power siting guidelines posted to New 

Hampshire Public Utilities Commission Web site: For more 

information, see www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/ne_astate_template.asp?stateab=nh#siting. 

•	 New Connecticut Wind Working Groups Kicks Into 

Action; Maine plans to launch WWG and anemometer 

loan program in 2008: State Wind Working Groups (WWGs)

provide a forum where government, academic institutions, 

utilities, energy marketers, developers, and community 

stakeholders can collaborate to promote smart and successful 

wind energy development in the state; identify barriers and 

opportunities related to wind development; develops plans to 

overcome barriers to siting good wind projects; promote public 

understanding of wind power, its benefits, and impacts; and 

foster job creation and economic development. The University 

of Massachusetts Renewable Energy Research Lab has 

successfully organized the Massachusetts WWG since March

2005. The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and Yale University

held the inaugural meeting of the new Connecticut Wind 

Working Group (www.windct.org) on December 10, 2007,

at Yale. The 25 attendees representing a broad range of

stakeholders established three working groups focusing 

on wind resource, infrastructure, and community interests 

to serve as a catalyst for understanding and utilizing wind 

resources and developing a balanced renewable energy 

infrastructure for the state. In response to significant stakeholder interest in concert with Governor Baldacci’s Wind

Power Task Force, Efficiency Maine, a Program of the Maine 

Public Utilities Commission, plans to begin a WWG as soon

as funding is arranged and will also launch an anemometer 

loan program in March. For more information, visit the New 

England Wind forum at www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/

windpoweringamerica/newengland.asp and click on Quick 

Links to your state.

•	 Members named to FACA committee to address wildlife 

impacts of wind turbines. The Secretary of the Interior has 

named 22 individuals to a special Wind Turbine Guidelines

Advisory Committee, formed under the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act. Committee members include representatives from several federal and state government agencies, 

wildlife conservation groups, and wind energy developers. 

The members will advise the Secretary and the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service on measures to avoid or minimize impacts 

to wildlife and their habitats from land-based wind energy 

facilities. To learn more about the Interior Department’s wind

initiatives, please see www.doi.gov/initiatives/wind.html. 

•	 Wind economics pages updated. As noted in the lead article, 

a range of factors – including raw materials costs, shifting 

exchange rates, and high demand – has led to increasing costs 

for installing wind turbines and other power generation equipment worldwide. As a result, we’ve updated the content of the 

NEWF Web site’s Economics page at www.eere.energy.gov/

windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/ne_economics.asp. 

•	 Annual Report on U.S. Wind Power Installation, Cost, and 

Performance Trends: 2007 to be released at WINDPOWER:

This report, the second of an annual series funded by the U.S. 

Department of Energy’s Wind Power Program, focuses on key

trends in the U.S. wind power market and presents a wealth 

of data, some of which has not historically been mined by 

wind power analysts. The report will be released in time for 

the annual WINDPOWER conference (to be held this year in

Houston on June 1-4).

A panoramic view of the nacelle for a 600-kW wind turbine being lifted atop the tower at Forbes Park in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Inset: The 

installation is complete! (Photo credit: Boreal Renewable Energy Development/PIX15573)
13 New England Wind Forum — Volume 1, Issue 4 — May 2008

Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy 

by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

NREL is a U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory 

operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle

A Strong Energy Portfolio for a Strong America

Energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy will mean a stronger economy, 

a cleaner environment, and greater energy independence for America. Working 

with a wide array of state, community, industry, and university partners, the 

U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

invests in a diverse portfolio of energy technologies.

For more information contact:

EERE Information Center

1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463)

www.eere.energy.gov

DOE/GO-102008-2609 • May 2008

Cool Links

•	 Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort (featured in this issue’s 

Perspectives interview): http://green.jiminypeak.com/page.

php?PageID=295.

•	 Wind Activity in Vermont: www.fairwindvermont.org. 

•	 Wind Energy Curriculum (K-12) for Educators: www.need.org.

•	 Forbes Park Wind Installation Slide Show: This former industrial site is being redeveloped with a sustainable-design focus and 

a new wind turbine as its “prominent symbol of our commitment 

to the environment.” See the wind turbine installation slide show 

at www.forbeslofts.com/gallery.htm#home.

Wind Events

The New England Wind Forum Web site maintains an up-to-date 

calendar of wind-related events, from conferences and workshops 

to siting hearings, in all six New England states. Check the calendar 

frequently for the latest opportunities to attend industry and community forums and be involved in the wind energy dialogue. Check 

the NEWF Events Web site at www.windpoweringamerica.gov/

ne_calendar.asp for more information as it becomes available. 

Upcoming Events include:

•	 Connecticut’s newly formed WWG will hold its next meeting 

on May 21 (see www.windct.org for announcements).

•	 Maine is also forming a WWG, and – subject to funding – will 

announce an inaugural meeting soon. 

•	 Vermont Renewable Energy Conference and Trade Show:

October 15, 2008, Burlington, VT

•	 Vermont Distributed Energy Conference: May 15, 2008,

Stratton, VT

New England Wind Forum — 

The Newsletter

Produced by Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC 

under contract to the Wind Powering America 

Program of the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory.

Editor: Robert C. Grace

Authors: Robert C. Grace and Jason Gifford

Subscribe at www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ne_

signup.asp

Send news ideas, events, notices, and updates to Jason 

Gifford at jgifford@seadvantage.com