February 16, 2013
Letters, Maine

In opposition to the Concord/Lexington Twp. wind energy facility

Daily Bulldog | February 16, 2013 | www.dailybulldog.com

The Spanish company Iberdrola Renewables (IR) proposes to build a large industrial wind energy facility in Concord and Lexington Townships. While specific details of the project have been kept hidden from the locals and the public-at-large, we know that today’s wind turbines are growing in size with each new wind facility proposed. First Wind’s Bull Hill Phase II project calls for turbines in excess of 500 feet. To put that in perspective, these immense machines are almost 100 feet taller than the elevation separating the Atlantic Ocean and the center of our village.

IR hopes to construct an industrial complex – miles long and as much as 2.5 times higher than Maine’s tallest sky-scraper – in the middle of this quiet, rural area – a region inhabited by families who purchased homes here because they value Maine’s natural resources and the peace and serenity they provide; qualities that are becoming increasingly rare.

The majority of the residents in these communities have signed petitions opposing IR’s wind energy facility. Here in Lexington 85 percent of residents signed in ink stating they were opposed. 85 percent! Our state senator and representative support our stance, as do our county commissioners. We’ve conveyed our majority opposition to IR and land owner Plum Creek, who have blatantly ignored our request to abandon the project. Not only have they ignored the will of the people who reside here, but this week IR submitted an application to erect a fourth meteorological tower just north of Peaked Hill. For what purpose? To expand an already-massive project that is not wanted and has been staunchly opposed by those who will live within its shadow and sound-shed?

We are Maine citizens who have been denied any input in the future of our homes and our home-town. We’ve done our homework. We’ve studied the science and economics and weighed the benefits and the negative impacts. We are not uninformed – we are educated. And we are Americans. Do our votes and voices still count or does this foreign developer hold all the cards?

This is a watershed moment. We have spoken. Will anyone listen, or have Maine citizens’ liberties gone with the wind?

Karen Pease
Lexington Twp.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/16/in-opposition-to-the-concordlexington-twp-wind-energy-facility/