June 11, 2014
Maine

Clifton votes on wind turbine setback

Katharine Bavoso, WLBZ | June 11, 2014 | www.wlbz2.com

Clifton residents voted no to a proposed ordinance that would change wind turbine setbacks.

Clifton Task Force on Wind produced the ordinance which would have eliminated five proposed wind turbines in the town. With 230 voting no and 177 voting yes, residents decided to maintain the current rule that says has setbacks at least 4,000 feet from any home and sets sound levels that are more strict than the state requirement. The proposed rule would have changed the setback to within 4,000 feet of property lines.

Opponents argued that the current setbacks address noise concerns and the proposal would have made wind project development difficult.

“If they change the 4,000 foot set back to property lines, you would need 1800 acres of land to put five turbines. So it’s not just for safety or health reasons, it is a ban on wind,” said Paul Fuller, Director of Pisgah Mountain, LLC.

Several of voting signs went missing or were vandalized before the vote. Authorities are investigating the reports of vandalism. Anyone found responsible could face fines up to $250 and possible criminal mischief charges.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/11/clifton-votes-on-wind-turbine-setback/