January 8, 2016
Maine

Wind power subject of informational meeting in Temple

Posted by Ben Hanstein | Daily Bulldog | January 7, 2016 | www.dailybulldog.com

TEMPLE – Representatives of a renewable energy company will be at the town hall on Monday, Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the possibility of installing wind power turbines in Temple. The meeting is informational in nature and no town action is anticipated.

Representatives of Renewal Energy Systems want to gauge public interest in developing an industrial wind farm in Temple. They are aware of the ordinance, Selectman Jean Mitchell said.

The town has had an ordinance for more than three years that effectively prohibits industrial wind power development, restricting the maximum height and electrical generation capacity of turbines. Therefore, Mitchell said Thursday, that ordinance would need to be modified or overturned by residents at town meeting in order for any such development to proceed. The town’s planning board could also be involved.

Additionally, Mitchell noted, the ordinance itself mandates that a petition consisting of at least 10 percent of the number of voters in the previous gubernatorial election be filed before any such amendment is even considered.

“There’s no way that anything could happen without a vote,” Mitchell said.

Representatives of Renewal Energy Systems had approached a couple landowners. The meeting was scheduled in an effort to keep the public informed, she added.

“We feel it’s important to let the citizens know what’s going on,” Mitchell said.

The meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. For more information contact the Temple town office at 778-6680 or Selectman Jean Mitchell at 778-2462.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/01/08/wind-power-subject-of-informational-meeting-in-temple/