Wind Power News: Maine
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Greenwood stands up to corporate America
No land closures planned “It’s great for the small town of Greenwood because it shows that corporate America cannot push little towns around as much as they think they can,” Greenwood resident Norm Milliard said. On Monday Greenwood voters overwhelmingly approved proposed amendments to the commercial wind farm section of a town ordinance, effectively banning such farms through a new tower height restriction. The vote was 206-41. Due to the large turnout the meeting started 45 minutes late. But there . . . Complete story »
State approves rezoning 700 acres in Hancock County for use as a solar farm
The site is roughly a mile away from a wind turbine that is part of Novatus Energy’s 51-megawatt Hancock Wind farm, which, according to a report by Vox, has the tallest land-based wind turbines in the country. Electricity transmission lines owned by power distribution company Emera run through the proposed solar development site. Complete story »
Greenwood residents OK commercial wind farm amendments
GREENWOOD – Greenwood residents Monday overwhelmingly approved proposed amendments to the commercial wind farm section of town ordinance, effectively banning such farms through a new tower height restriction. The vote was 206-41. Due to the large turnout, the meeting started 45 minutes late. But there was no discussion or questions posed, and the secret ballot began quickly. The Calpine Corporation has been studying the feasibility of putting a 13-turbine Long Mountain Wind Farm project in the area of Long, Tibbetts and . . . Complete story »
Another side to wind power issue
Facts matter – all of the facts. We were astonished to read the editorial published in the Bethel Citizen on Aug. 2 in favor of wind development in Greenwood. It’s fine that they are in favor of wind development – everyone is entitled to their own opinion – however, the idea that the group opposed to wind development is “wringing its hands and crying foul” completely ignores the true issues presented by the development of wind turbines in a populated area. Is it . . . Complete story »
Greenwood voters to decide wind issue Monday
After more than a year of research and debate, Greenwood voters Monday will decide the fate of proposed amendments to the commercial wind farm section of town ordinance. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Gore Road, next to the Town Office. The Calpine Corporation has been studying the viability of a 13-turbine ‘Long Mountain Wind Farm’ project in the area of Long, Tibbetts and Elwell mountains, near Twitchell Pond. Prompted by the potential . . . Complete story »
Column was off base
We are responding to a column from the Center for Rural Affairs that was printed recently in The Bethel Citizen (July 26). It was titled “Are property values affected by wind farms?” The organization, based in Nebraska, is a nonprofit corporation aiding rural concerns in predominantly agricultural landscapes. The column didn’t specifically address other land uses. According to the column, rural land is unaffected in value by the presence of massive wind turbines. The term “rural land” was broadly used. . . . Complete story »
Residents can save their mountains
How often do people read an article about a wind power project in which the term “wind farm” is used? When most people think of a farm, they picture open fields and pastures where the hard-working owners practice good stewardship of the land to make it more productive. On the contrary, a “wind farm” only harvests one crop, wind, which it has not cultivated or improved and only destroys land which has produced clear water, forest products, wildlife habitat and . . . Complete story »
No benefits from a wind farm
The Greenwood wind tower vote will be at the Legion hall at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6. A “yes” vote will pass ordinance changes to eliminate the chance for 600-foot towers. It is imperative that those in favor of the changes vote to offset votes by those who are already, or hoping to, profit from a wind farm. If voters have any doubts about the downside of 600-foot high towers or a close-by wind farm, they should do their own . . . Complete story »
Judge scraps lawsuit against Maine wind moratorium
Dive Brief: A Maine Superior Court judge dismissed a case challenging the constitutionality of the wind power moratorium imposed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s January executive order on Friday. Renewable energy advocates have tried to challenge the legality of the order, which halts wind turbine permitting in the state. Maine is currently leading in Northeast wind generation. While the judge’s opinion agrees that LePage’s executive order conflicts with the wind permitting state law, he said the environmental and renewable energy . . . Complete story »
Judge tosses challenge of order halting wind turbines
LePage’s executive order says no wind turbine permits are to be issued until a new wind energy advisory commission reports on the impact of wind projects. The governor, who has called wind energy a “boutique energy source,” claims wind turbines have a negative impact on tourism, property values and avian migratory pathways. Complete story »
