The town of Pittsfield will use a $50,000 grant from the Renewable Resources Fund (RRF) to install a wind-energy turbine, produce clean electricity for its recycling and transfer station, and educate residents about the advantages of wind power.

The RRF is administered by Efficiency Maine, a program of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). The grant money will go towards the purchase and installation of a 10-kilowatt wind turbine facility that will produce an estimated 9,238 kilowatts of clean electricity annually.

The Town Council formally accepted the RRF grant at its meeting on March 17th.

MPUC Chairman Sharon M. Reishus said the commission was impressed by the town’s commitment to pursue educational opportunities as part of the project.

“This project will produce clean electricity, save taxpayers money, and help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which are a major contributor to global warming,” said Chairman Reishus. “And it will help Efficiency Maine and the Maine Public Utilities Commission further educate the Pittsfield community and others about how to take advantage of alternative energy.”

Once the project is completed, the town will host tours of the facility for local organizations. The town also will create and distribute yearly reports on the effectiveness of the wind-turbine facility to local newspapers and statewide organizations, as well as publish the report on the town’s website.

Town of Pittsfield town manager, Kathryn Ruth, said the project provides a tremendous opportunity to showcase and educate the public about the value of wind power, would stimulate the state’s wind-energy marketplace, and would help accelerate the development of more wind turbine projects.

“The town’s leadership and track record in environmental issues will serve this project well,” said Ms. Ruth. “The Pittsfield wind turbine has the potential to touch many thousands of people’s lives and in return influence their decision-making on utilizing wind power and alternative energy resources.”

The town plans to publish a “how-to” report on the project, to assist other communities and entities with the process of siting, purchasing, and operating a wind turbine. The town, with Efficiency Maine, will hold an art contest for middle school children to design the wind program logo for display at the center and for literature about the project.

The RRF was established by the Legislature in 2000 and is supported by voluntary contributions made by consumers on their electric bills. The fund makes contributions to small-scale projects that contribute to the development of new, renewable sources of energy and which serve as demonstration projects designed to educate the community on the value and cost-effectiveness of harnessing natural resources.

Two other RRF grants were awarded earlier this year. The Great Salt Bay Community School in Damariscotta received a grant of $5,334 for the purchase and installation of double-sided solar panel modules and accompanying inverter with a display function, and the Knowlton School in North Berwick received $43,761 for the purchase and installation of 24 solar panels on two poles, and a tracking system to follow the sun.