Support is growing. Maine businesses should be preserved!
By David Corrigan, Real Wind Info For Me, realwindinfoforme.com 19 December 2010
By David Corrigan, Real Wind Info For Me, realwindinfoforme.com 19 December 2010
On December 16, the Partnership for the Preservation of the Downeast Lakes Watershed held a press conference. They expressed the feelings of many in this state when they asked the Governor-Elect to place a Moratorium on Grid Scale Industrial Wind Projects, until some scientific cost/benefit studies could be done; and they also asked for the Legislature to repeal LD2283, the Expedited Wind Permitting Law.
I personally believe that these two things would go a long way toward putting Maine back on the right path; financially, practically, and morally.
The BIG news to come out of the press conference was the position statements by both the Maine Professional Guide’s Association, and the Maine Sporting Camp Association, both of whom have now stood up to oppose the Industrial Wind Developments that are threatening their member businesses.
This is important. These groups understand that the development now going on has the very real potential to hurt their membership, and possibly even put some of them completely out of business. Since the main goal of our new Governor appears to be to help Maine Businesses, and to help the Maine economy, I sincerely hope that both he and the Legislature will take the time to seriously consider the impacts of our current Wind Development policies on these small, but vital Maine businesses.
As a Registered Maine Master Guide, who makes his living in the Maine woods, I would like to personally thank both the MPGA and the MSCA for stepping up to the plate and issuing these statements. If we all stand together, we can save the things that make Maine, Maine.
Their position Statements are below.
DC
PO Box 336 Augusta, Maine (ME) 04332-0336 E-Mail: info@maineguides.org
The Maine Professional Guides Association urges the State of Maine to recognize and address the adverse economic impact that industrial scale wind farms can cause to Maine’s guides. The unspoiled lands, waters and natural character of inland Maine’s landscape are what attract clientele to our Association’s doorsteps. Without these elements, the livelihood of the Maine Guide and the quality of outdoor recreation in Maine will be irreplaceably lost. Unfortunately, industrial scale wind power projects have far reaching impacts well beyond the actual project site. Their visual and audible impacts, both day and night, can extend far and are in direct conflict with the very characteristics that bring our clients to Maine. Our current knowledge of the impacts that these windfarms may have on wildlife large and small is insufficient to provide comfort to those of us who depend on that resource for our economic survival.The Maine Professional Guides Association is not philosophically opposed to all wind energy. The rates that our businesses pay for electricity are a heavy burden. However the current government supported model is not economically viable. Improperly placed industrial scale wind farms threaten the traditional sporting economy, employment incomes, and small businesses that make up our Association. We request that the State revisit its current goals for wind power projects and put into place measures that both recognize and protect the guiding profession in Maine.
HC 76 Box 620 Greenville, ME 04441 info@mainesportingcamps.com
The Maine Sporting Camp Association urges the State of Maine to recognize and address the adverse economic impact that industrial scale wind farms can cause to Maine sporting camps. The unspoiled lands, waters and natural character of inland Maine’s landscape are what attract clientele to our Association’s doorsteps. Without these elements, the livelihood of the traditional Maine sporting camp will be irreplaceably lost. Unfortunately, industrial scale wind power projects have far reaching impacts well beyond their actual project site. Their visual and audible impacts, both dayand night, can extend far and are in direct conflict with the very characteristics that attract our guests to Maine.The Maine Sporting Camp Association is not philosophically opposed to all wind energy. But improperly placed industrial scale wind farms do threaten the traditional sporting economy employment incomes, and small businesses that represent our Association. Our Association strongly requests that the State revisit its current regulations for wind power projects and put into place measures that both recognize and protect the historic Maine sporting camp industry.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/20/support-is-growing-maine-businesses-should-be-preserved/