{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221062456/http://neal.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350:first-wind-begins-solar-power-project-in-warren&catid=6:news-articles&Itemid=23", "First Wind begins solar power project in Warren", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Richard Neal", "N000015", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "First Wind begins solar power project in Warren\t\t \n\n\tWARREN \u2014 First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, marked the start last week of construction of its 14 megawatt solar project in the town of Warren. Located at three sites in Warren, First Wind\u2019s solar project will be the second-largest in Massachusetts and, along with a 3 megawatt project in Millbury, represents the company\u2019s first renewable energy projects in its home state and first solar developments. During a groundbreaking ceremony on the project site, First Wind officials were joined by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield and Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard K. Sullivan Jr. \u201cI strongly favor an \u2018all-of-the above\u2019 energy strategy that utilizes all of America\u2019s natural resources,\u201d Neal said according to a release. \u201cThis comprehensive approach has already generated significant investment in our domestic energy industry, helped create jobs, and reduced U.S. dependency on foreign oil. It also reduces air pollution and protects our environment. If we are to become energy independent, ventures like First Wind\u2019s solar project in Warren need to be enthusiastically supported. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts leads the nation in energy efficiency, and this exciting solar project brings us closer to a clean energy future.\u201d First Wind broke ground after securing financing and finalizing a 30-year power purchase agreement with the University of Massachusetts, with the majority of the power generated being delivered to the Lowell and Medical Center campuses. Through these solar projects, UMass will save more than $1 million in annual energy costs, or a total of more than $30 million over the course of the 30-year agreement. Once the solar projects are operational, First Wind will make yearly tax payments to each of the towns \u2013 $130,000 annually for Warren and $50,000 annually for Millbury \u2013 as well as contribute conservation land within the host communities. In addition, the towns of Millbury and Orange will realize annual energy savings by receiving a smaller portion of the energy generated through net metering agreements. These Massachusetts-based projects are the first solar projects that are part of the First Wind Solar Group, formed in an effort to explore potential development opportunities across the company\u2019s current footprint in the Northeast, the West and Hawaii. Construction on the Warren and Millbury solar projects is being led by Borrego Solar Systems, one of the nation\u2019s leading designers and installers of commercial and utility solar power systems. Construction on all four project sites should be completed and operating by June 2014. Construction activities will be a source of economic activity for the local economies by creating roughly 85 construction-related jobs and driving spending with local businesses. The projects will represent a significant investment in Massachusetts and the communities along with millions of dollars in construction, materials and development costs. \u201cThis year, the Commonwealth ranked third in new solar capacity, nationally. To date, Borrego Solar has installed over 38 megawatts of solar energy capacity in Massachusetts and is proud to now be aligned with a fellow renewable energy leader in the region to help keep the local solar industry moving forward,\u201d said Mike Hall, CEO of Borrego Solar. \u201cAside from providing significant energy cost savings for UMass, Orange and Millbury, the project will create local jobs and help shift the state\u2019s energy supply towards clean, local sources.\u201d\n\n\tTo view the original article, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221062456/http://neal.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350:first-wind-begins-solar-power-project-in-warren&catid=6:news-articles&Itemid=23"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4977911487221718, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}