November 2, 2009 Harvard to buy power from Maine wind farm

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Harvard University has entered into a 15-year agreement to buy power and renewable energy certificates from a wind energy farm to be built in Maine.

Harvard officials announced Monday that Stetson Wind II facility near Danforth, Maine, expected to go online in the middle of next year, will eventually provide more than 10 percent of the university's electricity needs. Federal environmental regulators say that will make Harvard the largest purchaser of wind power by a university or college in New England.

Harvard used more than 247 million kilowatt hours of electricity last year.

Harvard President Drew Faust said in a statement the agreement is part of the university's pledge to expand use of green power and reduce waste.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)