Maine media miss a key wind power connection
Al Diamon, www.downeast.com 15 December 2010
Ill wind: State Rep. Stacey Fitts’ legislative profile says he’s a “self-employed consultant.” Maybe that’s why so many news stories about developing wind power off the Maine coast quote the Pittsfield Republican without mentioning that he has a conflict of interest. As Fitts notes in online professional profiles, he actually works as a field services specialist for Kleinschmidt Associates, a company with more than a passing interest in offshore wind projects.
Opponents of wind power have frequently pointed out this connection, usually with regard to Fitts’ membership on the state’s Ocean Energy Task Force, but reporters and editors don’t seem to notice. On Dec. 14, Maine Public Radio included an interview with Fitts in a piece on offshore wind, as did the Bangor Daily News on Dec. 15.
Neither article mentioned Fitts’ employer or how that might affect his views.
Makes me wonder what else they’re missing.
[supporting links available at downeast.com]
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/16/maine-media-miss-a-key-wind-power-connection/