Nov. 30--Constellation Energy announced today that it plans to take over building one of Maryland's first wind farms on a Garrett County mountaintop next year.

The $140 million, 70-megawatt Criterion project had been approved last year by the state Public Service Commission under a 2007 state law promoting wind power development. But the project has languished since then, and a spokesperson for Clipper Windpower Inc. had indicated the credit crunch was affecting the California-based company's search for financing to put giant wind turbines atop Backbone Mountain near Oakland.

Constellation spokesman Lawrence McDonnell said the 28 turbines are now expected to be erected next year and in operation by the fall. When built, the farm should be able to supply enough electricity to power 23,000 households, according to Constellation. The project's original developer, Clipper, already had signed a 20-year power purchase agreement for the wind farm with Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, which supplies power to electric co-ops in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

This is Constellation's first wind generation project, McDonnell said, though he pointed out that the company has purchased electricity from wind farms in the Midwest. Constellation also has installed photovoltaic solar arrays at spice-maker McCormick & Company's complex in Hunt Valley and at the Maryland Environmental Service headquarters in Millersville.

Earlier this month, the Public Service Commission approved another 20-turbine wind farm on Backbone Mountain, this one a $50 million, 50-megawatt project planned by Synergics Wind Energy of Annapolis.

Residents living near the proposed Garrett County wind farms have voiced concerns about safety and complained that buffer zones required by the county between their homes and the turbines are inadequate. A third wind farm proposed near Frostburg -- also approved by state regulators -- has been stymied by setback requirements and other zoning restrictions imposed recently by Allegany County.

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