Mansfield Turning to Wind Power

The Town of Mansfield is moving toward wind energy, according to the Sun Chronicle.

The town is joining a consortium of other Massachusetts municipalities in buying a portion of the energy generated by First Wind's wind farm in Ellsworth, Maine. Almost 75 percent of the farm's energy would be sold to the group (known as the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co.) in the 25-year, fixed-price contract. They would then sell the power at a reduced rate to their member municipalities, including Mansfield Electric.

First Wind's facility, located in Ellsworth, Maine, features 17 turbines which generate 51 megawatts total. The facility will be operational next year.

Other members of the Massachusetts consortium include, Chicopee, Boylston, Westfield, Wakefield, Shrewsbury, Peabody, Ipswich and Marblehead.