Avangrid Renewables is preparing to start building the 30MW Deerfield wind farm in Vermont following the approval of a deal to protect black bear habitat near the site.
State regulators approved the ridgeline project in 2009 but development stalled over wildlife concerns.
Avangrid, formerly Iberdrola, has agreed to pay $1m to support bear studies and to help fund the acquisition of conservation land as mitigation measures.
The developer proposes to erect 15 Gamesa 2MW turbines, a mix of G97 and G87 machines, across 80 acres in the Green Mountain National Forest in the southwest corner of Vermont.
Avangrid expects to begin construction later this year and wrap up by the end of 2017, spokesman Paul Copleman said.
Vermont utility Green Mountain has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement for the output.
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