The Voice of Another Victim

The letter below is real, but the names have been changed.  The letter was written in response to the distress of a resident of Falmouth, MA whose life and health have been adversely impacted by wind turbine noises.

It’s time to take a stand.  There are victims just like Dawn all around the globe.  Victims who are being ignored, ridiculed and vilified because—if they are taken seriously—the mass proliferation of grid scale wind will have to stop.

And then the wind industry will find that its free ride is over.

That industry is going to fight tooth and nail to make sure that victims of turbine sounds are ignored.  They have to—they are fighting for their wealth.  But WE are fighting for our health.  For our happiness and quality of life.  We’re fighting for human decency and common sense.

We’ll win—but only if we stand together and don’t back down.  If you aren’t angry already, it’s time to get that way.  Enough is enough.

******************************* 

Hi Lily,

I know your situation all to well. My home sits empty in Clear Creek Ontario. My life of hell started in the fall of 2008. Yesterday was a very bad day for us. Spirits are very low. My son and I had a discussion just last night. We talked about people and money; people not caring about others; the humiliation we have felt; the fight that is ahead of us; the scars that will be with us for the rest of our lives. As yourself, my government and the wind companies have destroyed my life. They almost killed me. I am not out of the woods yet.

I  went to my home today; my home where I cannot live.  I still have some of my things there, where I had left them. I walked the property, looking at the trees I had planted over the years; looking back at a life that no longer exists, or ever will. It was very sad.I drove around the concession, again surprised at yet another new real estate listing and even more vacated houses. Approximately one in three houses are empty. Two of the vacant homes were homes of young families with children. I was glad they  were able to leave. Others have left; a few have passed on. I consider myself fortunate that my son had the sense to get us out of there. Today I tolerated a half an hour of exposure to low frequencies. When I left, I had started to become lethargic; I was dizzy; nauseous. My head hurt. I felt such pressure.

Each day is tough. Last night we also  talked about others who had it worse than us; kids who are sick and hungry. When the going gets tough, I remind myself I  am warm, I have a place to lay my head and enough food. I take it one day at a time.  I walk, lots. I meditate. It helps.

I attended a meeting with our department of health on Thursday night. As yourself, my son cannot bring himself to attend any more of these gong shows. I went to support Joanna and others presenting deputations. I returned to the place I stay, very upset and angry because of the ignorance displayed by some of the health officials.

A neighbor from home  told me last night, I must not give up. If you give up they win. Ironically these are the same words I said to my son just a short time earlier. I also told him, as others have told you; he needs to take a time out. Rest and recharge. I know, easier said than done.

Have faith and comfort knowing there are many who are going to bat for people like us. Hang in there. Life may not be the same; but it will get better.

Take care,

Dawn

Anti-wind group backs LePage in fight against renewable energy initiative

Spruce Mountain, Maine...before Patriot Renewables' wind project
Leola Ballweber Photo

From the Sun Journal:

AUGUSTA — Friends of Maine's Mountains, a group that opposes the proliferation of grid-scale wind power, announced Thursday that it's supporting Gov. Paul LePage's push against a citizen initiative that would expand the state's renewable energy portfolio.

Maine currently mandates that utility companies derive a certain percentage of electricity from renewable sources. However, a coalition called Maine Citizens for Clean Energy has launched a citizen referendum to increase the requirements in the state's so-called Renewable Portable Standard.

The initiative runs sharply against the governor's energy policy. Last year, LePage tried to freeze the current RPS mandate but met stiff opposition from the state's wind-power lobby and environmental groups.

On Wednesday, the governor told the Capitol News Service that the citizen effort to expand the Renewable Portfolio Standard was "nothing more than a scam to make a few people wealthy."

On Thursday, the Friends of Maine's Mountains group backed the governor.

"This would be an environmental and economic disaster for Maine," said Chris O'Neil in a prepared statement, adding that passage of the citizen initiative was a "de facto mandate for an unsustainable buildup of wind turbines and costly transmission systems on Maine's mountains."

He added, "Markets would not support any wind power at all if not for a complicated brew of incentives, grants, mandates, tax breaks, surcharges and other government-created gimmicks."

Read the rest of the story here.

Encouraging Words

Stewart Mountain in Highland as seen from Carrabassett Valley Airport
Highland Wind abandoned plans to put 9 turbines along this ridge after stiff opposition from the Maine Appalachain Trail Club (MATC), National Park Service (NPS) and the Appalachain Trail Conservancy (ATC) 

Encouraging words today from Naomi Schalit and John Christie of The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. The story I'm referencing can be found both in the Lewiston Sun Journal and the Bangor Daily News. 

State board deals potentially fatal blow to First Wind deal

"Last April, Maine’s largest wind energy developer, First Wind, trumpeted a multimillion-dollar deal that would pay for the company’s ambitious plans to erect more wind turbines throughout Maine and the Northeast.

"But the Maine Public Utilities Commission dealt a potentially fatal blow to the deal last week.

"PUC staff, faced with what opponents of the deal have called the first serious challenge to the state’s landmark 2000 electricity deregulation law, recommended on Jan. 13 that the agency give the thumbs-down to the deal."  Read the whole story here.

This story is important for many reasons, one of which is that 3 days ago Maine's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved First Wind's Oakfield wind project--if built, it will be the largest wind facility in Maine, thus far.

One of the criteria a wind developer is supposed to meet before receiving a permit is proof of financial capacity. And yet, in the BDN article about DEP's permit approval, First Wind's Alec Jarvis said, "The project's financing is not yet assembled."

Huh?

Why are Maine regulatory agencies such as DEP and LURC approving First Wind's projects? 

I haven't had time to read the Oakfield permit yet, but I'm anxious to.  And I will.  I want to see what kind of decommissioning plan and fund DEP required for the largest industrial wind plant in Maine.

Will the townspeople of Oakfield be on the hook for a multi-million dollar decommissioning job if FW (or rather, its Oakfield-specific subsidiary, a Limited Liability Corporation called "Evergreen Wind LLC") goes belly up?

Is First Wind quoting the same assets, collateral and financial statements for each project?  At a minimum, they're actively pursuing the Bull Hill project (recently approved by LURC), Oakfield (recently approved by DEP) and Bowers Mountain (still pending at LURC).  Locals in the Bingham area seem to think the company is moving forward with clearing and road construction for their proposed Bingham/Mayfield/Kingsbury/ Abbott/Blanchard project, too--even though they do not have a permit in hand. 

How will First Wind (i.e.Champlain Wind LLC, i.e. Evergreen Wind LLC, i.e. Blue Sky East LLC [and those are just a few of First Wind's Maine LLC's protecting the parent company's assets]) build a BILLION dollars worth of industrial wind facilities if they can't close the Emera/Algonquin deal, and they can't raise capital because investors were so uninterested in FW's IPO that they pulled it in August, 2010?

This company is begging for some serious scrutiny. The recommendation from PUC staff is a great start--they are finally looking at Maine's wind energy plan from the consumers' point of view. 

The PUC decision sounds like a "done deal".  Unfortunately, the cynical 'Kaz' will be wondering what 'incentives' and 'tangible benefits' and 'mitigation' tactics First Wind will use to try to tip the scales prior to that Jan. 31st PUC Commissioners' vote. 

I'm sure Ms. Schalit and Mr. Christie will follow up on this story and I look forward to reading it. 

WINDFALL--The Movie...The Voices of Tug Hill and Meredith, New York

Wow, am I behind, here!  There is so much happening in the world of 'wind' that I should be posting and sharing, but I've had difficulty finding the time.  I'll make an attempt to play a little 'catch up' tonight.

Until the phone rings....

Here goes!

Windfall, Laura Israel's award-winning documentary, is coming to Maine!  Click here to watch the official trailer.  This movie is providing us with an incredible opportunity to educate Mainers about the down-side of grid-scale wind development.  Residents in two New York communities learned their lessons the hard way, and their story is poignant-- and contemporary to what is happening right here in Maine. 

Right here and NOW in Maine.

Friends of Maine's Mountains is sponsoring multiple events during the month of February and into early March.  Be sure to check FMM's website for more information (and while you're there, check out the information about the Tim Sample Event at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport on St. Patrick's Day!)

We hope you will take advantage of this great opportunity.  The dates and venues will be confirmed on February 1st, but I do know that The Strand Theater in Rockland has already confirmed showings on Saturday, March 3rd at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 4th at 3:00 p.m. 

An anonymous benefactor has donated money so that any resident of Vinalhaven Island (the home of the three Fox Island Wind turbines) can attend the movie at the Rockland venue for FREE.  Please call me for more information (207-628-2070)--and please help us spread the word.  Folks who have already seen this movie say the similarities to our present circumstances are chilling and that the move will change your life... and for sure, it will open your eyes.

Stay tuned and then, please join us! Coming soon to a venue near you!

Downeast Humor--Tim Sample Style

Please join Friends of Maine's Mountains in welcoming Maine humorist Tim Sample to the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport on St. Patrick's Day!  All proceeds from this evening of laughter will benefit FMM and help their efforts to protect the mountains of Maine and this state's unparalleled and unique "quality of place".

To purchase tickets, please go to http://www.friendsofmainesmountains.org/ or send a check to FMM, PO Box 60, Weld, ME 04285.  And please feel free to call me with any questions.

Hope to see you there!