December 26, 2010
Letters, Maine

Mainers show solidarity, oppose industrial wind

Maine Sunday Telegram, www.pressherald.com 26 December 2010

On Dec. 4, people from across Maine came together to show solidarity. Citizens who have become educated about the realities of mountaintop industrial wind stood together to say “no.”

Two years ago, this topic was barely in the periphery of mainstream Mainers. We’d been sold the line that wind power was “green,” that it would reduce carbon emissions and help counter global warming. Now, we know that isn’t true.

We believed wind would reduce Maine’s dependence on “foreign” oil. Now, we realize that despite the wind industry’s claims, that’s not the case. We know that sacrificing our mountaintops and unique “quality of place” will not “save American lives” or “bring our soldiers home.” Once challenged, wind proponents quieted their rhetoric in that regard.

Citizens opposing the plan to install 360 miles of turbines across Maine are made to look like selfish people whose only concern is their view.

But now the huge cost of this plan is coming to light. Now the health issues are being exposed as our neighbors suffer from long-term exposure to low frequency noise. Now DEP sound standards are being proven as inadequate for turbines’ unique noise.

Today, we have proof that we’ve been sold a bill of goods based on false representations. We realize wind will never replace base-load power sources, and that it’s only an “add-on” for which our grid was not designed.

If it creates higher electric prices, if it’s dangerous to Mainers’ health, if it harms our tourist-based economy and reduces real estate values, if it’s paid for by tax-payers while only benefitting developers and creating temporary contracting jobs during construction, and if this wind power is needed for southern New England’s use and not ours, then why should Mainers support this misguided plan?

We shouldn’t. We don’t. And we won’t.

Karen Bessey Pease

Lexington Township

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/26/mainers-show-solidarity-oppose-industrial-wind/