NRCM has been actively supporting and promoting three large-scale wind power projects making the news lately. The Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) will hold public hearings for these projects in the next four months, beginning in August. These projects have the potential to position Maine as a leader in wind energy in New England: the 42 MW Mars Hill Wind Project already is the largest wind farm operating in the region. The approval and construction of these wind farms will help address the threat of global warming and achieve NRCM’s goal of having 5% of Maine’s electricity provided by wind energy by 2010!
Redington Project Scaled-back to Match NRCM Compromise
For the past year, NRCM has urged opponents and proponents of the Redington Wind Farm to join us in supporting a “Black Nubble-only” compromise, first proposed by NRCM last fall. This scaled-back project would place wind turbines only on Black Nubble Mountain and would put more ecologically sensitive Redington Pond Range in permanent protection. A Black Nubble-only wind farm would produce 54 MW of clean energy, more than any other wind power installation currently operating in New England. Protecting Redington Mountain would be a very significant accomplishment, since it is the last 4,000-foot peak in Maine that has not yet been protected. The revised project protects sensitive wildlife habitat while increasing clean, renewable energy in
Maine. This is a win-win solution for Maine’s citizens, and we urge everyone to support it. Public hearings are expected to be held in mid-September, so stay tuned and start spreading the word!
local communities.