Lempster Wind Project Brings Business to State

The first thing visitors see driving into Lempster, New Hampshire is a sign that reads “Welcome to Lempster, first to produce clean green energy in the state.”

Off to the left, rising above Lempster Mountain are a dozen wind turbines, each nearly 400 feet tall and hard to miss.

Right now, only eight have their 139 foot blades attached – but that will soon change.

"It’s an important day for New Hampshire in terms of energy independence and we’re close to turning on the switch and delivering the first clean power from wind in this state"

That’s Ed Cherian, the project manager for Iberdrola Renewables – a Spanish-based company that operates wind farms in 19 countries.

He and other officials recently gave an update on the progress of the 24 megawatt Lempster Wind Power Project.

New Hampshire Electric Cooperative will buy 10 percent of the power and Public Service Company of New Hampshire is purchasing the rest.

Cherian says unlike the older turbines that were smaller and spun much faster, Lempster’s have large blades, will catch the wind better, and turn much more slowly.

373 2:18 that means a lot less potential effects on birds which were some issues at a few places in California, much lower noise, and much more efficient, they produce a lot more power for the same amount of wind 2:28
And the company says its emission-free electricity—the pollution offset is equal to removing about 5- thousand 700 cars from the road.
Most of the wind turbines are on Kevin Onnela’s land.
He’s in a 30-year lease agreement with Iberdrola.
Onnela could say only good things about the project.
Kevin 1 (I would like to let you people know how much this has done for this area, we’ve preserved now 1500 acres we don’t need any tax money to do it, anything like that, this land will be left open for people to use, snowmobiling hiking whatever they want)
The estimated 48-million dollar project sits on about 75 acres of land.
It required cutting down trees and building about six miles of access roads.
When the project was first proposed some landowners in the area were against it because of its environmental impact and its appearance.
But those concerns don’t come up much in conversations anymore.
Lempster, Goshen and Newport residents seem impressed with the project.
Amy1 (it’s gorgeous, it looks like something out of a movie, not in our little Lempster)
Frank ( I think they’re neat looking, every week there’s another one that has more blades going, looks cool)
Kathy1 (and the way they spaced them out and sit up on the hillside I think it’s very beautiful)
MaryAnn (I think they’re awesome, really)
It’s not just the appearance locals seem pleased with, but also the money the wind farm is bringing in to the local economy.
120 people –from all over the country -were working at the construction site at its peak.
Those workers are spending money at local hotels, campgrounds, gas stations and restaurants.
(nat sound)
Chenelle Lamery serves up drinks at The Salt Hill Pub in Newport..one of the closest restaurants to the site.
She says the restaurant has become the workers’ home away from home.
“:25 They’re here all the time, cause all of them are living out of hotels, so they’re literally here almost every single night and give us the entertainment and business that we obviously like.”
It’s translated to more tips and more money for the restaurant.
Salt Hill Pub co-owner Joe Tuohmy says it’s hard to put an exact dollar figure on the extra business but…
Joe 1:30 I don’t think we’ve seen a big decrease in business due to the economy at this point in time, but definitely extra people around.
390 5:39 Nat sound
The same is true for Sturgeon’s general store in Lempster, which sells sodas and snacks, breakfast, and lunch.
It’s just a minute down the road from the wind turbines.
Owner Cathy Sturgeon says workers have been keeping her busy.
Cathy2(they come down every day for lunch, or they call in and order and they’ve been giving me a day to day progress of what’s going on up there, and sometimes they work late and I’ll bring them coffee..so its been a tremendous amount of fun a great experience)
The extra business has meant a lot to her – especially since she just opened the store in May.
Kathy3 3:32 I know it’s going to slow down but they gave me a great boost to get going so I just need to be creative and keep things going through the winter 3:36
Iberdrola Renewables has also bought goods and services from seven New Hampshire towns.
They’ve bought concrete, fuel, lumber, sand and gravel … hired civil engineers, electricians, welders, and environmental consultants.
But it’s all coming to an end as the wind project nears completion.
Back at Salt Hill Pub in Newport, co-owner Joe Tuohmy says he’s not concerned about a slowdown in business as they rely on serving locals anyway.
Joe2 3:10 I wouldn’t call it worry but it would be nice to have a phase two or another project like that going on --number one it’s good for the town and I think we just need stuff like that everywhere in the country, not just Newport and Lempster 3:26
Server Amy Gallagher sees the wind turbines every day when she commutes.
She says she thinks they should become a tourist attraction.
382 Amy Gallagher –Newport Resident, :57 A lot of the leaf peepers that come in I send them out on that journey … if anyone hasn’t seen them I highly suggest that they go up and check them out, especially with the foliage.
The turbines are expected to be generating power by the end of the year.
For NHPR news, I’m Amy Quinton.