State of Maine, Office of Governor Paul LePage | January 24, 2018 | www.maine.gov
January 24, 2018
2018-002
WHEREAS, Tourism is a major industry in the State of Maine, attracting over 35 million visitors in 2016 who spent nearly $6 billion; and
WHEREAS, the scenic vistas and pristine waters of Western Maine, our coast and coastal islands, and our significant avian migratory pathways (the Areas) attract significant tourism to the State; and
WHEREAS, the visitors to the Areas in Maine are known to come to enjoy outdoor and nature oriented activities; and
WHEREAS, noise and vibration caused by wind turbines are well known effects of the turbines; and
WHEREAS, the sight of wind turbines can affect property values; and
WHEREAS, wildlife will be affected by the wind turbines; and
WHEREAS, the future estimated decommissioning costs of wind turbines are uncertain; and
WHEREAS, any decision regarding siting wind turbines in the Areas will have long term consequences to the tourism industry; and,
WHEREAS, the benefit from wind turbines are therefore uncertain.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Paul R. LePage, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby establish the Maine Wind Energy Advisory Commission (“the Commission”) for the purposes of (1) Studying the economic impact of potential Wind turbines in the Areas, (2) Assessing the economic impact of expedited wind rules and procedures, (3) Assessing and developing recommendations in a written report. I order that no permits related to wind turbines are issued in the Areas until the report is issued in writing. I also order that Pursuant to Title 1, section 402, subsection 2, paragraph F, the meetings of this Review Panel are not “public proceedings” subject to Maine’s Freedom of Access Act.
The Commission shall be comprised of no less than 11 and no more than 15 representatives from state agencies and other entities that have substantial responsibilities and/or interests in the siting of wind turbines in Western Maine, including:
The Commission Shall:
Recommendations of the Commission will be formalized upon the approval of an Executive Committee comprised of the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and the Director of the Governor’s Energy Office, in consultation with other officials as appropriate to the proposed project.
The Commission shall deliver a report summarizing its recommendations to the Governor when finished.
I direct that the agencies involved undertake this work within their existing resources and budgets.
The Effective date of the Executive Order is January 24, 2018.
Paul R. LePage
Governor
An Order Establishing the Maine Wind Energy Advisory Commission
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/01/24/an-order-establishing-the-maine-wind-energy-advisory-commission/