Fifty-Two Voices in Augusta

Tomorrow, June 15, 2011, is supposed to be the last day of the current Session of the 125th Legislature. Our Senators and Representatives have been dealing with hundreds (and hundreds) of bills since January. Reading them. Considering them. Listening to testimony, holding work sessions, caucusing… and then debating on the Floor and voting for (or against) them.

One day left.

I wasn’t surprised that the one remaining bill having to do with ‘industrial wind’ was left until the 11th hour. With dozens remaining to be acted on, it only seemed par for the course that our one hope would be dumped into the mix at the end of a very hectic session.

There were twenty common-sense and protective bills submitted, written, testified to and debated on. Nineteen were killed. And only one remained.

LD 1366, “An Act to Update the Maine Wind Energy Act”.

What originally was written as a comprehensive and ‘active’ bill had been reworked into a ‘do nothing’ bill calling for a study. While I’m not opposed to having a comprehensive examination done of the current wind energy plan; the fact is—the FACTS are already in.

Already, approximately eighty Mainers are suffering due to the inappropriate placement of industrial wind turbines. That’s a FACT. Mainers are suffering health effects AND a reduction in their property values, due to the incessant high, low and ultra-low frequency noises—and shadow flicker--produced by these megaliths.

Something had to be done. Mainers deserve protection, and the current noise standards, written before industrial wind came onto the scene, weren’t sufficient. Rep. Larry Dunphy, who has listened to his constituents and made their concerns a priority, proposed an amendment to LD 1366. His amendment called for a 1.5 mile setback from the base of a turbine to residences. It also contained a very important clause. His amendment would allow Mainers the freedom of choice. If those who lived within that 1.5 mile set-back area wished to opt out—they could petition the siting authority for a variance which would allow wind developments to be built at a lesser distance from their dwelling.

Protecting Mainers, while giving them the freedom of choice. You can’t get much fairer than that.

Why, then, did Rep. Dunphy’s amendment get defeated? The vote was 92 in favor of ‘tabling indefinitely’ and 52 opposed to that action—which, in reality, meant the amendment was killed.

But why?

Could it be that the wind industry hammered the Legislature incessantly with their tales of woe and their dire predictions? “If Maine shows an unstable climate for ‘renewable development’, we’ll take our ‘investment’ elsewhere” they warned. “’Wind’ is the only game in town”, they claimed. “A ‘small, vocal minority’ can’t be allowed to derail a plan which had unanimous support in the Legislature” they argued. And always, in the background, were rumblings intended to make citizens feel like they were selfish, planet-killing elitists who only cared about their ‘view’. For, of course, ‘wind’ was a panacea which would save the planet from the looming threat of ‘death by global warming’.

In the end, only two things are worth pondering.

First: What do the FACTS say?

And, second: Who will be strong enough, brave enough, committed enough and ethical enough to help spread those facts, educate the public, stand up to the wind lobby and not back down, even when defeat seems the norm and common-sense the exception?

As to the first: The facts are out there, and easy to find, if citizens are only willing to devote a few hours to researching this critical issue.

As to the second?

We will.

Many thanks to the Fearless, Feisty Fifty-Two. You’ve given us hope. And that is a rare and valuable commodity, these days.

Stepping Up To The Plate...

Stepping up to the plate.

I was never much of a ball player. Oh, I could hit a pitch—but it was mostly in self-defense. I didn’t want that fast ball to hit me—so I knocked it out of the way with everything I had. I’ve always had a finely tuned self-preservation instinct. But--when it came to catching a line drive, or throwing with accuracy or strength, or running to beat hell--I was a dud.

Yes, I was one of the last kids picked when teams were chosen for baseball, and I was usually given the position of right or left field. That was okay. Baseball wasn’t one of my strengths, but I had others.

The one thing I learned early-on was that it took courage for me to pick up the bat and step up to the plate. I knew I was a poor player. I knew there was a good chance I’d let my team down, or embarrass myself—or both. But I wasn’t a quitter, and I had pride. If the job of playing baseball had to be done, I’d do it--whether I liked it, or not. Whether it caused a knot of dread in my stomach, or not. Whether I excelled in it, or not.

It’s what had to be done.

Right now, there’s something else which needs doing, and I’ve been amazed at how many Mainers have stepped up to the proverbial ‘plate’. Out of 20 pieces of legislation proposed by citizens in the hopes of bringing fairness and balance to the wind energy plan, and in an effort to protect Mainers’ health, quality of life, and property values--only one bill has survived.

LD1366.

Rep. Stacey Fitts, co-chair of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, proposed an amendment to this bill, after promoting the demise of the others. In an attempt to appear as though our words weren’t “falling on deaf ears”—this amendment offers to move up—from 2013 to 2012—a previously mandated study of ‘wind’.

In essence, this is a “do nothing” bill.

Hearing and responding to the concerns of his constituents, as well as the constituents of many other Legislators, Rep. Larry Dunphy, of District 88, has submitted a “minority report” version of this bill. His version of LD 1366 would establish a set-back of 1.5 miles from the base of industrial turbines to residences. On-the-ground studies have shown that at distances of over 7,500 feet, the deleterious effects of industrial wind’s unique sounds and vibrations are diminished in areas which aren’t mountainous in terrain. This setback would protect hundreds—if not thousands—of Mainers from potential health effects and reductions in real estate property values. At the same time, Rep. Dunphy’s version of the bill would grant to Mainers something which the Wind Energy Act took away. Freedom of choice. If land-owners within that 1.5 mile setback wish to opt out and petition the siting authority for a variance, they can do exactly that.

It’s a win-win, right? Additionally, the need for sound studies would be removed. Rep. Dunphy’s version of this bill will save Maine tax-payers money.

Protect the health of Mainers. Give them freedom of choice. And save them money.

What’s not to love?

Please write to the members of Maine’s House and Senate, and ask them to pass the MINORITY REPORT version of LD 1366. I am pasting in their addresses below, to make the process a little simpler. All you need to do is write a simple note asking that they support the MINORITY REPORT VERSION OF LD 1366… a bill which is NOT anti-wind, but pro-Mainers. Copy and paste the addresses into the ‘bcc’ part of your email. And click SEND.

Your voices should be heard. Your votes and opinions matter. Please support Mainers’ rights and ask that our Legislators pass Rep. Dunphy’s minority report version of LD 1366.

Thanks. You will make a difference, if you take the time to ‘have a say’.

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Emails for the Maine House of Representatives and the Maine Senate (just copy and paste)

kent23@myfairpoint.net, RepJohn.Martin@legislature.maine.gov, RepBernard.Ayotte@legislature.maine.gov, pedgecom@maine.rr.com, mikeblackbear@gmail.com, tyleraclark@msn.com, alexander.willette@gmail.com, RepJoyce.Fitzpatrick@legislature.maine.gov, rdl_chief@yahoo.com, clarkhe@beeline-online.net, jeffery.gifford@gmail.com, duchesne@midmaine.com, jdill@umext.maine.edu, RepAdam.Goode@legislature.maine.gov, cdicemom@aol.com, RepSara.Stevens@legislature.maine.gov, jparker339@roadrunner.com, emily.cain@gmail.com, djhouse20@gmail.com, texn77@aol.com, repguerin@gmail.com, richardsond@hermon.net, fwintle@gmail.com, fredlaw@myfairpoint.net, RepDavis@midmaine.com, rumridge27@gmail.com, mcfaddenh@roadrunner.com, gjmaker@gmail.com, dburnsinv@midmaine.com, dtilton@maineline.net, info@crockerhouse.com, elsie.flemings@gmail.com, wkumiega36@gmail.com, chapmanHD37@gmail.com, andre@andrecushing.com, Kurlykim40@aol.com, jgillway@yahoo.com, riouxrep@aol.com, erinherbig@gmail.com, aobrien2008@gmail.com, ryan.harmon82@yahoo.com, joanwelsh08@gmail.com, EdMazurek1@aol.com, cbkruger@myfairpoint.net, wes893@aol.com, danadow2050@yahoo.com, Jon@JonMcKane.com, deb.sanderson@hotmail.com, RepLes.Fossel@legislature.maine.gov, morissette2010@gmail.com, cotta@fairpoint.net, annadblodgett@yahoo.com, maeghanformaine@gmail.com, kdfoster@roadrunner.com, lincoln67@myfairpoint.net, kerrilprescott@gmail.com, bmacdon@roadrunner.com, HL7mike@gwi.net, cpriest1@comcast.net, kimolsendistrict64@hotmail.com, pskentz5@hotmail.com, seth@sethberry.org, mike@mikeformaine.org, bolduc74@yahoo.com, bick0585@aol.com, lajoie1@midmaine.com, mikecarey123@gmail.com, rwagner@bates.edu, mrotundo@bates.edu, Woodysnavy@gmail.com, henry.beck@gmail.com, thomas.longstaff@gmail.com, RepRobert.Nutting@legislature.maine.gov, RepSharon.Treat@legislature.maine.gov, mln@fairpoint.net, LGary.Knight@usa.net, patricksaflood@roadrunner.com, keschl@yahoo.com, jjpicc@gmail.com, jeffmccabe4me@gmail.com, pdcurtis2@hotmail.com, pegilbert@hotmail.com, lanceharvell@hotmail.com, russellblack@juno.com, jarrodscrockett@gmail.com, petersonhouse08@gmail.com, sheryljbriggs@gmail.com, terry@megalink.net, twinsor@megalink.net, jtimberlake_us@yahoo.com, rankin8076@roadrunner.com, RepPaul.Waterhouse@legislature.maine.gov, rwsarty@fairpoint.net, rep.hamp@yahoo.com, RepRich.Cebra@legislature.maine.gov, utumike@aol.com, mmcclell@maine.rr.com, dalecrafts@aol.com, RepEllie.Espling@legislature.maine.gov, dcwebster@comcast.net, melissawalshinnes@gmail.com, meredith@burgessadv.com, apg1@maine.rr.com, RepMarkBryant@yahoo.com, geplummer@aol.com, mpn3@maine.rr.com, pstuckey114@yahoo.com, steve.lovejoy@myfairpoint.net, deniseharlow@hotmail.com, annehask@maine.rr.com, votechipman@gmail.com, RepDiane.Russell@legislature.maine.gov, dillesquire@aol.com, tmorrison16@msn.com, eberleja@earthlink.net, kaenrath@gmail.com, annpeoples116@msn.com, tdrisco1@maine.rr.com, avolk@volkboxes.com, hsirocki@maine.rr.com, knappjanes09@gmail.com, lindafsanborn@gmail.com, huntforlegislature@gmail.com, RepGeorge.Hogan@legislature.maine.gov, dpilon@maine.rr.com, lmvalentino54@yahoo.com, megan.rochelo@gmail.com, acasavant@maine.rr.com, dburnsy12@gmail.com, RepWayne.Parry@legislature.maine.gov, bennettco2000@hotmail.com, sixwings@metrocast.net, RepJohn.Tuttle@legislature.maine.gov, RepJoan.Nass@legislature.maine.gov, libertymom1@msn.com, markweves@yahoo.com, kathydhchase@hotmail.com, bmoulton@localnet.com, wcw63@aol.com, RepDevin.Beliveau@legislature.maine.gov, waymitch10@hotmail.com, Sipayik@midmaine.com, mthibmyrep@aol.com, SenPhilip.Bartlett@legislature.maine.gov, cwrector@hotmail.com, RepStacey.Fitts@legislature.maine.gov, rep.hamp@yahoo.com, dacray@msn.com, skime2@roadrunner.com, RepAaron.Libby@legislature.maine.gov,RepJon.Hinck@legislature.maine.gov,
acornell@alexcornell.org, rbbeavers@comcast.net, mndion@msn.com, RepLouis.Luchini@legislature.maine.gov,


SenDawn.Hill@legislature.maine.gov,
SenRonald.Collins@legislature.maine.gov,
SenJon.Courtney@legislature.maine.gov,
SenNancy.Sullivan@legislature.maine.gov,
SenBarry.Hobbins@legislature.maine.gov,
SenLawrence.Bliss@legislature.maine.gov,
SenJohn.Patrick@legislature.maine.gov,
SenJoe.Brannigan@legislature.maine.gov,
SenStan.Gerzofsky@legislature.maine.gov,
SenRichard.Woodbury@legislature.maine.gov,
SenBill.Diamond@legislature.maine.gov,
dhastings@hastings-law.com,
SenJohn.Patrick@legislature.maine.gov,
senlois@roadrunner.com,
SenMargaret.Craven@legislature.maine.gov,
SenGarrett.Mason@legislature.maine.gov,
SenThomas.Saviello@legislature.maine.gov,
seth@sethgoodall.com,
dptrahan@roadrunner.com,
demccormick@.tds.net,
SenRoger.Katz@legislature.maine.gov,
SenThomas.Martin@legislature.maine.gov,
rodwhittemore@gmail.com,
firewood@tds.net,
SenBrian.Langley@legislature.maine.gov,
Senator@KevinRaye.com,
schneidersenate@msn.com,
rrosen113@aol.com,
nichi@aol.com,
SenDebra.Plowman@legislature.maine.gov,
SenRoger.Sherman@legislature.maine.gov,
SenTroy.Jackson@legislature.maine.gov,

Words to our Legislators

In 2008, as oil prices skyrocketed, Maine committed itself to a “wind energy plan.” Believing that adding large amounts of wind energy to our electricity mix would be a good thing for our economy, our environment, and our security, we launched a plan to install 2700 megawatts (name-plate capacity) of industrial wind turbines across hundreds of miles of Maine’s summits.

We’ve learned a lot since that time. Now we know that grid-scale wind is unaffordable, unnecessary, unreliable, and unsustainable. Now we know that grid-scale wind energy has impacts which are far greater than its negligible benefits. Now we have some experience with grid-scale wind, and we know that the laws enacted in 2008 need to be adjusted. Due to what we’ve learned, a well-organized and thoughtful series of reform legislation flooded the EUT Committee this session.

*We know that Maine’s already-clean total electricity generation capacity far exceeds our usage.
*We know wind is unreliable, unstorable, and undispatchable.
*We know the 2700 MW goal will sacrifice hundreds of Mountains for not even 5% more electricity in our grid.
*We know it is incompatible with the grid.
*We know wind needs constant back-up by base-load generation systems.
*We know that wind does not cause a material reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
*We know that only a small fraction of Maine’s electricity is generated by coal or oil, and that what we do use is obtained in North America, and not from the Middle East.
*We know that in order to get the electricity produced by wind to the Grid, a 450 mile-long high voltage transmission corridor must be built through 75 Maine towns, and that rate-payers will bear a portion of the $1.4 BILLION cost.
*We know that, per MegawattHour produced, the subsidies for wind are many times higher than those for every other energy source; and 50 to 60% of a wind project is taxpayer funded.
*We know that up to 60% of those tax-payer subsidies go overseas to countries like China, Germany and Denmark, where the turbines are manufactured.
*We know that industrial turbines are a threat to migratory birds, raptors and bats.
*We know that Maine’s storied natural resources are a major economic driver.
*We know that Maine’s #1 asset is our unequalled “Quality of Place”, and its foundation rests upon our natural resources, and that thousands of industrial turbines do not fit in this scenario.
*We know that wind developments spend much but invest little.
*MOST IMPORTANT, we know that EVERY multi-turbine, wind facility in Maine that has been sited near people now has significant unresolved disputes over turbine noise and flicker.

Now that we’ve learned all this (and more); what we DON’T know is….Why are we doing this?

LD 1366 proposes moving up the timetable for comprehensive studies of the impacts and benefits of grid-scale wind developments. It is a good idea to examine these issues, and both the minority and majority reports will do so. While these important studies need to be conducted, if passed as currently written, LD 1366 will be a ‘do nothing’ bill. Mainers need protection from the health effects of living in close proximity to wind turbines NOW. They need protection from possible devaluation of their real estate investments NOW.

The minority report which will be proposed by Representative Larry Dunphy will take two important steps. It will order the study recommended by the EUT Committee, while omitting the fiscal note pertaining to sound studies. In addition, his version of the bill will provide protection in the form of safe setbacks for industrial wind turbines—while still allowing property owners who live within those designated area to opt out and allow reduced setbacks. This version of LD 1366 is not only fair to all, but is less costly than the majority report with Rep. Fitts’ amendment.

Please vote in support of Rep. Larry Dunphy’s ‘minority report’ on LD 1366.