A 99-megawatt wind power project capable of generating enough power to serve about 40,000 homes has been proposed for Coos County by Granite Reliable Power. The project is before the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee, which must rule on it by May 6.

The $250 million project would have significant benefits for the local economy. Its multiplying effect would lead to the creation of 550 jobs in the next two years, including well-paying construction jobs. This would come exactly when the state and county most need it, due to the national recession.

Construction and operations jobs with the project are expected to pay on average $45,000 in annual wages, about 50 percent higher than the county average.

About 200 workers would be directly involved in construction, with the workforce coming from a 100-mile radius of the project.

Once built, the wind farm would create more than 70 jobs in the local economy. In net, the project will contribute more than $20 million - about 2 percent of the Coos County economy - in 2009 and 2010. Once operating, it will contribute $4.3 million - 0.4 percent of the Coos County economy - annually to the northern New Hampshire and surrounding area economy.

Not only does this project provide direct economic benefits, it also develops the skills and expertise of North Country and New Hampshire employees in renewable energy. The U.S. wind energy industry alone is growing at a significant rate, with investment totaling $17 billion in 2008. Coupled with the $43 billion earmarked for energy-related initiatives, including renewable energy, smart grid and energy efficiency in the recently passed federal stimulus package, forces are aligning for significant U.S. growth of renewable energy. It is in New Hampshire's best interest to develop the skills necessary to participate in this up-and-coming opportunity.

The Site Evaluation Committee is a role model for the region in how to effectively and responsibly develop wind and other renewable projects. The successful development of the 24-megawatt wind project in Lempster is a testament to its stakeholder-based, thoughtful planning approach.

Not only will the Coos project help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it is also taking an environmentally responsible approach in its development. Granite Reliable Power has developed a mitigation plan in concert with the Appalachian Mountain Club and state Fish and Game Department to significantly reduce the impacts on the local ecosystem and preserve habitat for wildlife. The project is being undertaken by Noble Environmental Power, a leading renewable energy company, with 726 megawatts of wind power projects operating in New York and Texas.

The Site Evaluation Committee has the opportunity to approve a worthy wind project with mitigated short-term impacts on the environment and supportive of longer-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This project will produce well-paying jobs and economic benefits when they are most needed, and it can contribute to the foundation for New Hampshire to establish itself as a leader in the region for renewable energy.

(Ross Gittell is a professor and Matt Magnusson is a research scientist at the University of New Hampshire.)