WOODSTOCK — Spruce Mountain Wind and the Woodstock ATV Club hosted an ATV ride-in at the Spruce Mountain Wind project in Woodstock. The event brought together nearly 100 riders from throughout the area to experience one of Maine’s wind power projects up close while enjoying the view from the top of Spruce Mountain.

Spruce Mountain Wind has 10 2-megawatt wind turbines that are just over 400 feet tall to the top of each blade at its highest point. The project’s access road is normally closed to vehicular traffic, so this event gave riders the chance to drive right up to the turbines.

Riders began the day at the Woodstock ATV Club and rode in to Spruce Mountain where they were treated to a barbecue lunch and tours of the project.

“This was the second year we’ve done an ATV ride at Spruce, and the turnout was even bigger than last year,” said Tom Carroll, community outreach director for Spruce Mountain Wind. “It’s rewarding to know that so many people are interested in seeing the turbines.”

“I love it,” said Rosie Gendron of Lisbon when asked about Spruce Mountain Wind. “I think that we should have more (wind farms). That way we’ll depend less on oil and gas.”

“We do our best to give people opportunities to experience the Spruce project,” said Tom Carroll. “The scenery from the top of the mountain is spectacular, and people enjoy getting to see the turbines up close.” Spruce Mountain Wind is planning to hold an open house in the fall and a ride-in event for snowmobilers this winter.

For more information about Patriot Renewables and Spruce Mountain Wind, visit www.patriotrenewables.com, www.sprucemountainwind.com or the Spruce Mountain Wind Project on Facebook.

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