September 24, 2010
Maine

Environmentalist group still looks to halt Rollins Mountain wind project

Mike DeSumma, Multimedia Journalist, www.wcsh6.com 23 September 2010

Opponents to the Rollins Mountain wind project are mounting a new campaign to stop construction of the 40-turbine wind farm just as it is getting started.

An attorney representing members of the environmentalist group ‘Friends of Lincoln Lakes’ says she plans to seek a court injunction to halt the project on the mountain and its many ridges. Attorney Lynne Williams says she also has filed a new petition with the state Board of Environmental Protection.

Boston-based “First Wind L.LC.” has already started construction on the Rollins wind project. Company officials say once completed the 40-turbine wind farm will stretch across the four towns that the mountain ridges run through, which include parts of Lincoln, Lee, Winn and Burlington.

The “Friends of Lincoln Lakes” has been fighting to stop the project since it was first announced. Several of its members have now signed onto that petition which is before the Maine Board of Environmental Protection. Opponents of the project say they are now looking to have the company’s license for the project suspended or revoked, so that current issues with noise at other wind farms in Maine can be assessed.

“The fact is that Mars Hill is out of compliance and has been granted a waiver by the state,” Williams said, “Freedom is out of compliance, and Vinalhaven is out of compliance. Both of those two wind farms have the exact same turbines except each of them only has three. Rollins Ridge will have 40.

“First Wind” offered a statement in response to the group’s petition saying:

“We believe this has no merit and we have the necessary permits and approvals required to move forward with the project.”

On the issue of the potential injunction the statement added:

“It is unfortunate that a small group of wind power opponents are determined to misuse the legal system for their own narrow interests. This project has broad support, will bring economic benefits to the region and deliver clean power to Maine residents.”

Williams says the Board of Environmental Protection will most likely be reviewing the group’s petition in early October. She adds that she is holding off on filing the lawsuit as more plaintiffs have recently come forward to join it.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/09/24/environmentalist-group-still-looks-to-halt-rollins-mountain-wind-project/