Fox Islands Electric Cooperative
| File:Foxislands.jpg | |
| Company type | Utility cooperative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wind energy |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Vinalhaven, Maine, U.S. |
Key people |
|
| Website | foxislands |
Fox Islands Electric Cooperative is a utility cooperative based in Vinalhaven, Maine. It delivers electrical power to the communities on the Penobscot Bay islands of North Haven and Vinalhaven. The cooperative manages the Fox Islands Wind Project, which consists of three turbines each rated at 1.5 MW—making it the largest community wind energy installation along the East Coast of the United States—and supplies electricity for both islands.[1]
History
Initially, electricity on the islands was provided by Vinalhaven Light & Power Company through diesel generators. However, in October 1974, a cooperative was established following an 80% favorable vote by residents. This new organization purchased Vinalhaven Light & Power from Herb Peterson, with Grant Duell serving as its first president. By 1976, they had installed a 10-mile submarine power cable financed by a loan from the Rural Electrification Administration, connecting North Haven to the mainland grid via Central Maine Power Company in Rockport. Although scallop fishermen initially opposed the project, the cable became operational in 1977.[2]
Because of ongoing reliability challenges, this underwater cable was replaced in May 2005 using funds from the US Rural Utilities Service. The upgrade allowed electricity to flow in both directions between the mainland and the islands.
Fox Islands Wind Project
The cooperative began exploring wind energy potential in 2001 by commissioning a three-year feasibility study conducted by the Renewable Energy Research Laboratory at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Early community enthusiasm was limited until natural gas prices surged dramatically after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, leading to higher electricity costs.[3]
In 2008, local engagement increased significantly with assistance from the Island Institute, which co-sponsored environmental and economic assessments forecasting a reduction in electricity rates by 2 to 4 cents per kilowatt-hour during the first ten years and even greater savings afterward. The membership overwhelmingly approved moving forward with the project in July 2008 by a vote of 383 to 5.[4]
The estimated investment for installing three turbines ranged between $12 million and $14 million. To finance this, the cooperative secured a $9.5 million loan from the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service and formed Fox Islands Wind LLC to take advantage of tax incentives. Dr. George Baker was appointed as CEO; meanwhile, Diversified Communications committed $5 million to acquire these tax credits.[5]
Construction started in mid-2009 and was completed with an official dedication ceremony attended by Maine Governor John Baldacci and House Speaker Hannah Pingree in November. The turbines produce roughly 11,605 megawatt-hours annually—surpassing local demand—and have substantially reduced energy expenses compared to national averages.[6][1]
In response to noise concerns raised by some residents,[7] the cooperative implemented sound mitigation trials.[8] There remain environmental issues related to potential effects on bald eagle populations near turbine locations.[9]
See also
External links
- Wind power in Maine
- Wind power companies of the United States
- Electric cooperatives of the United States
- Companies based in Knox County, Maine
- Energy companies established in 1974
- Renewable resource companies established in 1974
- 1974 establishments in Maine
- American companies established in 1974
- Cooperatives based in Maine
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment