SJ: LURC rejects Redington wind farm

[Shorebound]

The Sun Journal website is reporting that the LURC board has voted against the Redington wind project.

http://www.sunjournal.com/storyupdate.php#230

LURC rejects Redington wind farm
Donna M. Perry
Staff Writer

FARMINGTON–The Maine Land Use Regulation Commission voted, 6-1 against rezoning 1,004 mountaintop acres in northern Franklin County for a 30-turbine wind-energy project today.

Only commissioner Stephen Wight, of Newry, supported the rezoning request.

The commission's staff had previously recommended the rezoning be approved.

The proposed $130-million wind farm was to be built on the ridges of Redington Pond Range and Black Nubble mountains in Redington Township, about 4 miles west of Sugarloaf/USA in Carrabassett Valley.

MORE at the link

[jpak]

1. I have mixed feelings about this, but it was the right decision (for other reasons)

There are ~1000 MW of wind turbine capacity in the works in Maine - this project (~90 MW) won't significantly affect the development of commercial wind power in the state.

That part of Western Maine is host to some of the most spectacular scenery in the state (and the AT too). Although I think wind turbines are beautiful - I still like the unspoiled views from Bigelow and the AT (yeah, I know you can see Sugarloaf from up there, but...).

If LURC had approved this project, it would have set a REALLY bad precedent that would most certainly affected LURC's ruling on Plum Creek's proposal in the Moosehead region - a project that I vehemently oppose - and other similar developments in the North Woods.

If LURC had approved this project and rejected Plum Creek's proposal, there would be a large and expensive law suit to deal with.

So all and all, it was a good decision.

[Shorebound]

3. Plum Creek

The Plum Creek project is entirely different, and I don't think approval of the wind farm would have been much of a precedent for those plans. Certainly approval would have an effect on other wind power projects coming to LURC in the future -- and disapproval will also have an impact. Redington met all the law's requirements, passed all the tests. I really think this decision kills any hope of significant wind power projects in the future.

Worse, from my POV, the vehemence and source of opposition to this project has given the right wing real ammunition to use against us down the road. "Look, you're tearing down hydroelectric dams to save fish and fighting wind power to preserve the view, how can you stand there and tell us not to build this nuclear power plant. Put up or shut up." And that argument will come up, and probably sooner than we think.

[jpak]

4. We'll have to see what the justifications were...

n/t

[high density]

2. I want some wind turbines in my neighborhood

All we have are huge fuel and natgas tanks instead. I dunno how a wind farm would be any more unsightly than those things.

[luckyleftyme2]

5. met a worker

had a young man come in the store the other day who is working at the mars hill(wind mill) site. I see
his construction jacket and asked him about his job. I told him about my working in the county
during the winter months on limestone and presque-isle air bases when I was his age.
he assured me it was still cold and windy and the global warming hadn't had much effect up in the county yet!
Here is a maine youth starting a career that will effect all of us in a small way. It brought back the memories of things to come that youth inspires!