Maine Voices DO Make a Difference

             First WIND’S BOWERS Mountain Wind Project to be Denied

Grass roots opposition defeats Maine’s largest wind energy developer

April 6, 2012

Lincoln, Maine

The Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) voted today not to allow First Wind Holdings, LLC of Boston to withdraw its application for the Bowers Mountain Wind Project. The project would have erected 27 forty-three story tall turbines on prominent ridgelines in Carroll and Kossuth, adjacent to the headwaters of the Downeast Lakes.  This area has been a magnet for sporting tourism for more than a century. It is home to the Village of Grand Lake Stream, the state’s premier salmon hatchery, and is the birthplace of the square-end canoe known as a Grand Laker.  LURC also directed its staff to complete the permit denial document as had been decided at their October 2011 meeting. The final denial vote will take place at 9:30 a.m. on May 4, 2012 at the Washington County Community College in Calais.

The Partnership for the Preservation of the Downeast Lakes Watershed (PPDLW) has led the broad-based opposition to the project.  The Maine Professional Guides Association, the Maine Sporting Camp Owners Association, and the Grand Lake Stream Guides Association also opposed this project.

“I could not be happier.” says PPDLW member Gary Campbell. “It’s been a long arduous battle, but the natural beauty of the Downeast Lakes Region is well worth fighting for. Today’s vote shows that Maine is not willing to sacrifice this magnificent natural resource for a few megawatts of expensive and intermittent wind energy.”

After a long and well documented process that included a site visit, lakes tour, three days of formal public hearings, and three deliberation sessions, a straw poll taken in October showed the Commissioners in unanimous agreement that the project would have an unreasonably adverse scenic impact on a number of significant paddling and fishing lakes, and consequently the numerous sporting camps, lodges, professional guides, and ancillary support businesses that are the lifeblood of the area. The Commission instructed LURC staff to prepare a denial document.

Facing an imminent denial, the applicant, through lead counsel Juliet Browne of Verrill Dana, filed a request several weeks later that they be allowed to withdraw the project application.  After much deliberation, the LURC board tabled the request to withdraw, but did agree to give the applicant some additional time to reconfigure the project.  Interveners in the case argued that the applicant was simply venue shopping. In the end, the LURC Commissioners awarded the applicant an additional 90 days to reconfigure the project in hope of mitigating the project’s scenic impact, while expressing serious reservations that it could be mitigated at all. The applicant assured the Commission that 90 days would be enough time and that they would bring back a formal outline of a reconfigured project by March 9th.

Twenty minutes prior to expiration of the deadline, the applicant submitted a letter stating that “[First Wind] is not able to present a particular reconfigured project to the Commission at this time.” The letter then repeated the earlier request that they be allowed to withdraw the Bowers application. At today’s meeting LURC voted to officially deny First Wind’s request to withdraw and directed its staff to resume preparation of the application denial document. The denial is now scheduled to become official by Commission vote on May 4, 2012. 

The Scenic Downeast Lakes Region encompasses more than two dozen lakes including Pleasant, Shaw, Scraggly, Junior, West Grand, Pocumcus, Bottle and Keg Lakes. The turbines of the proposed Bowers Mountain Wind Project would have been visible from 11 lakes that are officially recognized as Scenic Resources of Statewide Significance, two of which boast Maine’s highest designation as “Outstanding for Scenic Quality” (Pleasant Lake and West Grand Lake).

PPDLW’s President, Kevin Gurall explains, “The Scenic Downeast Lakes Region has a long, rich history of providing a wilderness experience to visitors and sportsmen from all over the world. Celebrities from Ted Williams and Jimmy Doolittle, to Presidents and foreign heads of state, as well as multiple generations of families have been coming here for well over 100 years to enjoy this network of clean, largely undeveloped lakes. The guiding tradition on this watershed can be traced back to the 1850’s. We have 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th generation professional guides who stitch together a living providing sportsmen with an outdoor experience that leaves them with memories for a lifetime. Never mind that this type of experience is becoming rare in Maine, there aren’t many places like this left in the entire continental U.S… and that’s why it’s so important that we protect it so future generations will have the opportunity to make their own memories of the wilderness character and scenic magnificence that is the Downeast Lakes Watershed.  He added, “Those memories need not be ruined by an industrialized landscape… there have to be better solutions to our energy issues than defacing our treasured lake shore landscapes and our mountains.  Tourism is our largest industry in Maine and employs more than 140,000 people. That’s much too important to risk for the mere trickle of high priced energy that’s generated by these wind projects. “

“Although PPDLW sounded the initial alarm, this was a grassroots effort by more than 300 citizens. People from the immediate area, from all corners of Maine and beyond worked together for nearly three years to defeat this project.  It’s a true David vs. Goliath story.  Fortunately, we had common sense, truth, and the state’s scenic impact regulations on our side.” 

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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. 

Merry Christmas, from Your Friendly Neighborhood Wind Developer

From snowmobile clubs to fire departments to historical societies, and from fuel assistance funds to youth programs to libraries; the wind industry in Maine has a long history of spreading its money around the communities wherein it hopes to build grid-scale industrial wind facilities.

The latest example of a wind corporation’s ‘largesse’ here in Maine can be found in the River Valley.  Patriot Renewables (PR) is the owner of controversial wind projects at Beaver Ridge in Freedom and Spruce Mountain in Woodstock.  This same developer is hoping to build additional wind turbine developments in area communities, including Dixfield and Carthage.  So it came as no surprise to read in the 12/21/2011 edition of the Sun Journal that Tom Carroll, PR’s project coordinator, was handing out hefty checks to local organizations. 

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/business/2011/12/21/eleven-circles-receives-10000-patriot-renewables-l/1130779

Still, I was stunned by the blatant nature of the largest contribution made last week.  Eleven Circles, a youth action group, is no doubt a worthy recipient for a $10,000.00 donation.  But the impartiality of Maine’s town governments and town officials is crucial as we watch communities struggle to remain cohesive through the process of writing ordinances and considering the development applications submitted by large and wealthy corporations.  Should we not have serious questions when Patriot Renewables ‘supports’ a business owned by the daughter-in-law of a Dixfield town selectman? 

Other area recipients of Patriot Renewables’ bounty were Ludden Library, the Webb River Snowmobile club, the Poodunk Snowmobile Club and the Carthage fuel assistance fund.

Corporations like to call this ‘being a good neighbor’.  Patriot Renewables said they were looking to ‘help to fill a void in the area’.

Let’s not kid ourselves.  First Wind, Patriot Renewables, Trans-Canada, Iberdrola and other wind developers looking to build facilities aren’t passing around tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars because they care about our youth, or our poor, or our winter recreation enthusiasts.  They target communities which will be deciding whether or not to approve their development permits.  The people of Dixfield and Carthage are being ‘romanced’, just as the citizens of Mars Hill, Danforth, Stratton, Woodstock and Lincoln were.  If Dixfield and Carthage had already passed ordinances restricting the placement of industrial wind developments, the odds are that deserving non-profits in the area would not have been the beneficiaries of those much-needed donations.

A bribe is a bribe.  Towns such as Dixfield and Carthage should design and institute ordinances that take into account the health, property values and quality of life of their citizens.  Then they will see how quickly a wind developer decides that there are other towns which need a ‘good neighbor’ or have ‘voids’ to be filled.   

Voicing My Vexation

Many of you have followed along or participated in the Bowers wind project proceedings.  For that, many other people owe you thanks.  I ask that you continue to stay involved, because the developer is employing new and more devious tactics in an attempt to have its way.

On October 19th, Maine's Land Use Regulation Commission took a 'straw vote' on First Wind's permit application for the Bowers Wind Project.

LURC Commissioners voted unanimously to instruct staff to draw up a decision document DENYING a permit for the project.

Today, First Wind's attorney Juliet Browne submitted a lamentful appeal to LURC, requesting permission to 'withdraw' their application.  Employing the same tactics used last year during Trans-Canada's Sisk wind project application process, Ms. Browne is making an end-run, attempting to circumvent established procedures with deceitful tactics.

The letter Ms. Browne sent to project manager Fred Todd will most likely be posted HERE in a day or two.  In the meantime, here is my response to First Wind's request:

**********************************

November 8, 2011

Fred Todd, Project Manager

Land Use Regulation Commission

Augusta, ME 04333

Dear Fred;

As a citizen of Maine, I am writing this letter in response to the request LURC has received from First Wind’s attorney, Juliet Browne, of Verrill Dana LLP.  In regards to FW’s (Champlain Wind LLC’s) permit application #DP4889 for the Bowers Wind Project, Ms. Browne “respectfully requests that (First Wind) be allowed to withdraw its application for the purpose of reconfiguring the project…”

The applicant also generously offers to “extend the deadline for the Commission to issue a final decision…through January, 2012…”

Confronted with an imminent “deny” decision, the applicant is playing fast and loose with the state’s resources and is gaming the system.  Juliet Browne was a member of former Governor Baldacci’s wind task force which designed LD 2283, the so-called “expedited wind permitting law”—aka the “Maine Wind Energy Act”.  Due to the passage of this law, citizens in 2/3 of the state of Maine have been disenfranchised.  Our communities were rezoned without our input, and our right to “have a say” was sharply curtailed.  In addition, citizens were suddenly required to abide by a law wherein a tight time-frame was mandated in which our regulatory agencies must make decision on wind development applications.  DEP and LURC must ‘expedite’ these applications, and deny or approve within 6 months if there is no public hearing; and within 9 months if a public hearing is granted.  You have no options, and the public has no option—we must abide by the law.  And yet, First Wind, a company from another state, is graciously granting a Maine state agency an extension of time?

The unmitigated gall!

I have never been in favor of LURC’s taking of a ‘straw vote’, as (in my opinion) it is an invitation for an unscrupulous developer to do exactly what First Wind is doing.  It gives them a ‘heads up’ that they are not going to receive their permit and opens up this new avenue in an already difficult and expensive process.  Ms. Browne’s tactics were somewhat successful when she pulled this same rigmarole for Trans-Canada in the Sisk application process in the summer of 2010.  After taking a straw vote wherein Commissioners voted to deny the project, LURC later proceeded to approve an altered application for Sisk.   Whether or not the process was properly administered is now under debate and LURC and Maine citizens are waiting for a Law Court verdict on the appeal of that decision.

While I am not a fan of the Wind Energy Act, I (and each Maine citizen) have been obliged to abide by it until such a time as it is repealed.  First Wind and every wind developer looking to build grid-scale wind energy plants in this state must do the same.  They cannot have it both ways.  They cannot expect to benefit from their own law when it suits them; but then bend those rules, or expect special dispensation when that same law works against them.

I urge you to deny Ms. Browne’s request to withdraw First Wind’s application.  Additionally, I urge you to send a strong message to the developer.  LURC is not theirs to manipulate, nor is the DEP.  And our laws must be obeyed, whether they work as the wind industry planned, or not.  If First Wind would like to lead the charge in repealing the Wind Energy Act, with its tight time constraints and less stringent standards for development, many Maine citizens will step forward to offer them their support.  Until that time, they’ll have to play by the rules they set in motion.

If First Wind is allowed to withdraw from this lengthy process at a point where it has almost reached its conclusion, you will do a huge disservice to the people of Maine.  And if you allow withdrawal and First Wind is allowed to reapply for a wind project permit in Carroll Plantation or Kossuth Township in the future, I urge LURC to require an additional application fee of $100,000.00 above and beyond that fee which is normally required.  Intervenors such as PPDLW have spent tens of thousands of dollars opposing this project, and that money was raised one dollar at a time by individuals who were committed to doing what they believed was right—and who were constrained by the Wind Energy Act’s mandates and stipulations in how they could oppose the project.  Additionally, the hundreds of citizens who took part in this process must be reimbursed, as well.  Many Mainers lost several days’ pay, and spent money for gas, food and lodging as they traveled to the various LURC meetings and public hearings.  We do not have the resources that large corporations such as First Wind have, and if this developer is going to be allowed to game the system, they must pay for the privilege.  They must reimburse the People of Maine.

First Wind lost.  The system is designed so that those who are unhappy with a decision have the right to appeal.  I request that LURC Commissioners not allow themselves to be swayed by the applicant.  I urge LURC Commissioners to stand firm and sign a decision document on December 7, 2011, denying First Wind’s Bowers Mt. permit.

Ms. Browne can appeal LURC’s decision in the very same way Maine citizens can, or she can recommend that her client move on, recognizing that Bowers is one of those places in Maine which is worthy of being protected from industrial development.

Thank you for your time and attention.  Please feel free to call me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Karen Pease

Lexington Twp., Maine

　

　

　

　

LURC Voices Decision to Preserve the Downeast Lakes Watershed

Three days ago, approximately 50 people gathered at the Waterfront Event Center in Lincoln to hear LURC Commissioners give their final deliberations on First Wind’s permit application for the Bowers Wind Project.  This has been a long process, with First Wind (Champlain Wind LLC) submitting their application on January 21, 2011.  On March 14^th, it was accepted by LURC staff as complete for processing, and the “expedited wind clock” began ticking.

Under the Maine Wind Energy Act, which designated 2/3 of the state of Maine as an “Expedited Wind Permitting Area”, regulatory agencies such as LURC and the DEP must fast-track wind development permits.  Once an application is deemed ‘complete’, a decision is required within 180 days if no public hearing is granted and within 270 days if the citizens of Maine are allowed the opportunity to participate in the process.

Tick-tock-tick-tock…

The Partnership for the Preservation of the Downeast Lakes Watershed (www.ppdlw.org) a nonprofit organization committed to protecting the beautiful Downeast Lakes region, applied for “intervenor status”, as did the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) and the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF).  Citizens David Corrigan and Gordon Mott also intervened.  First Wind’s plans for Bowers had been in the works for months, and finally, the wait was over.  The clock was ticking. 

Suddenly there were deadlines to be met and procedures to follow.  But before the intervenors could file any comments or submit pre-filed testimony, the long and complex permit application had to be examined.  First Wind’s consultants and attorneys had had months to prepare the application; but intervenors had only weeks to study hundreds of pages of text and graphs, maps and photos.  Only days to request a public hearing.

Tick-tock-tick-tock...

PPDLW is an all-volunteer organization, supported by locals and by non-residents who recreate in the Downeast lakes region.  The people of the Bowers Mountain area were fortunate to have several dedicated, hard-working and tenacious people prepared to mount a stiff opposition to First Wind’s 27 turbine project which—if permitted--would tower over Junior, Scraggly, Pleasant, Duck, Keg, Bottle and Shaw Lakes, among others.  Pre-filed testimony was filed.  A pre-hearing conference was attended.  The dates for Public Hearings were set.  June 27^th.  June 28^th.  July 6^th.

Tick-tock-tick-tock…

I was able to travel to Lincoln to attend the technical and public hearings, and to go on the site visit, which included bus trips to the targeted ridges and a boat ride on some of the lakes which would be impacted by the project.   The three hours I rode the waves on Junior and Scraggly Lakes were some of the most enjoyable hours of my summer.  Working on ‘wind’ keeps me chained to the computer or on the road traveling, and during the last two years I have missed spending time outdoors and on the water.  The hours spent with friends as we toured those beautiful lakes were well worth the sunburn I received—the only bit of color I got all summer long.

That first evening (Monday) marked the commencement of the public testimony portion of the hearings.  Tuesday was reserved for the technical hearing, with the public testimony concluding that evening.  Citizens spoke overwhelmingly in opposition to the Bowers project.   Most who spoke in favor of the wind development stood to gain financially if the project was approved.  Conversely, many who spoke against the industrial facility believed the project would cause them economic hardship and negatively impact their quality of life.

First Wind’s attorney Juliet Brown (Verrill Dana) spearheaded the company’s defense of their proposed project.  Environmental engineers, consultants, a visual impact expert, survey results…the wind developer pulled out all the stops.  Conservation Law Foundation supported First Wind by speaking in nebulous terms about the positive impact the project would have on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  They also called an “expert” who attempted to convince Commissioners that wind energy would reduce electricity costs in Maine.

NRCM dropped out as intervenors a few days before the public hearing and on the first night of testimony, Kathy Johnson, North Woods Project Director, testified “neither for nor against” the project.   However, her testimony spoke volumes about the region’s value:

“Both the applicant and Palmer (LURC’s Scenic Expert) underrate the significance of the nine lakes with significant or outstanding scenic resources…The Appalachian Mountain Club…describes this loop as “one of the best quiet-water loop trails in the state, especially when one detours for a few days into Scraggly Lake…””

The PPDLW group, working independently and without legal representation, presented a powerful case; explaining to the Commissioners that the beauty and uniqueness of the watershed was the lifeblood of the region.  Residents’ livelihoods are tied to the lakes, many of which are classified as scenic resources of state or national significance.  Testifying for PPDLW and David Corrigan were local guides and sporting camp owners who live and work in the area.  No others could defend the region with such knowledge and expertise.

Tick-tock-tick-tock…

The public hearing concluded in Bangor on July 6^th, and parties had until July 26^th to respond to the comments submitted.  Closing statements were presented at the October 5^th LURC Commissioners’ meeting in Ellsworth and deliberations began immediately following those statements.  It was decided on that day to continue deliberations in Lincoln on October 19^th and to take a “straw vote” at that time; in order to instruct staff on what type decision document to draft for the December 7^th meeting.  The 270 day window is closing fast.

Tick-tock-tick-tock…

On Wednesday, October 19, 2011, LURC Commissioners voted unanimously to instruct staff to prepare a decision document to deny First Wind a permit to build a wind energy project on Bowers Mountain in Carroll Plantation and Dill Hill in Kossuth Township.  They plan to meet in Lincoln again on December 7^th to take the official vote, but for all intents and purposes, the case has concluded.

The Bowers wind project is the first industrial wind project to get denied since LD 2283 was passed in May of 2008.  We’ve heard LURC commissioners say it over and over again: They feel as though the Wind Energy Act is a directive to approve grid-scale wind projects.  The Legislature created LURC and the Legislature passed the expedited permitting law.  They have stumbled over that fact often in the last several years.  And yet, in March, Department of Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley said this to the Commissioners:

“The important factor to me is that your board-- you all can say ‘no’. There is nothing about the expedited process that says it’s easier to get a ‘yes’.” 

What a relief it was on Wednesday to see that they ‘get it’.  That they understand and agree that just because wind facilities have been given special privileges--it doesn’t mean they are suitable to be placed on every horizon in the state of Maine.

LURC Commissioners have indicated they intend to deny the Bowers project, but that doesn’t mean that opponents are resting on their laurels and enjoying a well-deserved respite.  Citizens have witnessed the shenanigans of the wind industry time and again, and they are wondering what will come next.  It hasn’t escaped notice that Ms. Browne was also Trans-Canada’s attorney of record during the Sisk Mountain application process last year. 

In July of 2010 LURC decided to DENY the Sisk Mountain wind project, and instructed staff to draft a decision document to that effect for the August 4, 2010 meeting.

  http://www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/projects/Transcanada/Transcanada_PendingDevel.shtml

But once LURC’s straw vote was taken, Trans-Canada’s attorneys scrabbled to find ways to ‘mitigate’ the damage to the environment that the Sisk wind project would cause and they quickly created a new, revised application which reduced the number of turbines in the development.

Unfortunately, LURC was swayed by the developer’s new arguments and new application and they granted Trans-Canada’s permit for the Sisk Wind project in January of 2011.  (The Friends of the Boundary Mountains have appealed LURC’s decision to the Law Court and their case was heard on September 14^th.  They are currently waiting for the judges to make a ruling.)

The two projects and the issues involved are vastly different and yet, the fact that LURC was convinced to change their vote is troublesome to citizens who spend vast amounts of time, energy, emotion and financial resources to make their case against a particular development.  If a wind company can simply change the game mid-stream by supplying an altered application or paying more ‘mitigation’ funds, where is the due process?  Is that not favoring large and powerful corporations while disenfranchising Maine citizens?

I don’t believe First Wind can salvage the Bowers project.  There are no measures which could be taken which would make the project acceptable in the Downeast Lakes watershed.  Scenic impact simply cannot be mitigated. 

The LURC Commissioners were touring the Downeast Lakes in a pontoon boat on that same late June afternoon when I got my sunburn.  They explored the inlets and coves, viewed the islands and wooded shorelines.  When the flotilla’s motors were off, Commissioners heard the sweet sound of water lapping against the hull and the haunting call of nesting loons.  They felt the warm breeze lift their hair and the hot sun kiss their cheeks.  They watched the clouds scudding through the azure sky and viewed the jagged peaks of evergreens on the horizons. 

There is simply no way to mitigate that.

These are the words Governor LePage spoke in Rockport on June 18^th  when referring to industrial wind projects:

"They are doing an awful lot of damage to our quality of life, our mountains… I don't think it's going to lower the cost of energy.  I think in 10 years we're going to be like Sweden and Denmark and we're going to be swearing at ourselves."

Let’s not wait ten years.  Let’s not suffer regret because we sat back and did nothing.  Let’s take a page from the playbook of the PPDLW and protect and preserve Maine now, before 300 miles of our mountains and thousands of acres forest and shorelines are sacrificed for massive, inefficient, unreliable and extremely expensive wind turbines.  Let’s forge ahead and work to encourage an energy policy based on science and economics.  In doing so, our Legislature will be convinced to repeal that damaging law which set this travesty in motion.  The Wind Energy Act was based on a presumption of benefits—many of which have been shown to be inaccurate or non-existent.  It’s time for facts to drive our policies and not vague assumptions that wind is a panacea for our energy concerns.

LURC Commissioners made a wise decision about a difficult issue.  Their job is not easy and I believe they agonize over their votes each time they must cast them.  I hope that they feel at peace with the verdict they arrived at for the Bowers project. 

I have no doubt that an hour spent on Pleasant or Junior or Scraggly Lake would remind them of exactly what tranquility is all about.

Voices on Bowers Mt. Wind project: Downeast Lakes Watershed

Maine Citizens Overwhelmingly Say “NO!” to First Wind’s Bowers Mountain Industrial Wind Proposal

In one of the most hotly disputed industrial wind development proposals to come before Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission, citizens of this state spoke out in opposition to the Bowers project by a margin of 9:1.

Champlain Wind LLC, one of the many limited liability subsidiaries of First Wind of Boston, is proposing to build a grid-scale wind facility on Bowers Mountain in Carroll Plantation and Dill Hill in Kossuth Township.  The proposed development would site 22 wind turbines, each approaching 500 feet tall, on a ridge overlooking the Downeast Lakes Watershed.

Based on LURC’s Wild Land Lakes Assessment study of over 1,500 lakes, this watershed has the highest concentration of Class 1A and 1B rated lakes in the state. In order to achieve that rating a lake had to exhibit “outstanding values of statewide significance.”  There are at least six lakes in this watershed that have a “1A” rating, three that have a “1B” rating and numerous others that are rated as a “2”.

During the application process, Maine citizens requested and were granted a public hearing.  An astonishing 379 citizens gave oral or written testimony about this project.  Three hundred thirty-seven (345) or 91% of those testifying were opposed to First Wind’s Bowers Mountain project.

Due to concerns that such massive industrialization would seriously damage the area’s extraordinary scenic value; more than two dozen professional guides and many of the local sporting camp owners took precious time away from their businesses during peak tourist season to come to Lincoln to testify in person.  Three prominent organizations, representing nearly 1,000 Maine business owners who are familiar with the watershed, publicly came out against the Bowers project:

* The Maine Professional Guides Association, 900 strong, which has representatives on committees such as Tourism, Conservation, Land Access, Landowners Relations, River Trust and others, voted unanimously to oppose the Bowers project.

* The Maine Sporting Camp Association, which represents more than 50 sporting camp owners.

* The Grand Lake Stream Guides Association, representing 50 full-time professional guides who make their livelihood on the Downeast Lakes Watershed, voted unanimously to oppose the Bowers project.

Says Gary Campbell of the Partnership for the Preservation of the Downeast Lakes Watershed (PPDLW): "The siting of First Wind's proposed Bowers Wind project runs contrary to what makes Maine, Maine. This project would impact the    magnificent Downeast Lakes region, an area with a long history of    protection by both the legislature and locals. The region's economy is uniquely dependent on its ability to provide visitors with a remote, wilderness experience. Seeing 27 turbines, each the size of    a 42-story building, punctuate the horizon will make that impossible. This region's renowned culture of traditional Maine sporting camps and professional guides, would be lost forever."

And PPDLW's president, Kevin Gural, states:  "The Downeast Lakes watershed from West Grand Lake and Grand Lake Stream to the south, to Pleasant, Scraggly, and Shaw lakes at the north comprise one of Maine's few remaining easily accessible large watersheds that retains it's mostly undeveloped shoreline, wilderness character, and scenic splendor.  The opposition to the Bowers wind project has been steadfast, above board, and unprecedented in size and scope.  It includes a large group of property owners, and recreational users of this resource, but more importantly, it includes those who make their living and are the primary employers in the watershed.  The lodges, sporting camps, guides, and support businesses have all spoken passionately and often against this development application .  The Maine Sporting Camp Association, the Maine Professional Guides Association and the Grand Lake Stream Guides Association have all published posiiton statements against these poorly sited industrial wind projects.  Recreational tourism, whether it be fishing, hiking, canoe and kayak tripping, wildlife photography, or other outdoor pursuits, have been the lifeblood of this historic sportsmen's Mecca for well over a hundred years.  The very basic foundation of the area's businesses is at risk here. 

"In reviewing the testimonies of the 379 individuals and business men and women who testified on this application, 345 or 91% were adamantly AGAINST permitting this project.  We have faith that the LURC Commissioners will follow their mission statement and their CLUP (Comprehensive Land Use Plan) to vote unanimously to deny this development application.  In doing so, they will send a strong message to these wind project developers that Gov. Baldacci's Expedited Wind Permitting Law is meant to afford them a faster permitting process, but is not intended to circumvent LURC's or D.E.P.'s duties as stewards of our Maine's most valuable resource - it's "Quality of Place"."

Maine citizens have spoken up in opposition to the Bowers wind project.   It is our hope that the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission will deny First Wind/Champlain Wind's permit application on Wednesday, October 19, 2011.  Please come to the Waterfront Event Center, 8 Prince Street, Lincoln, Maine at 11:00 a.m. to show your support for the local residents, business owners and tourists who oppose the Bowers industrial wind development in the Downeast Lakes Watershed.

 

The Word from Rumford

On the heels of our defeat in the 125th Legislature came this news report in the Sun Journal. Just when we needed some good news-- it arrived.

RUMFORD — It's official and apparently back to the drawing board for selectmen.

The proposed wind ordinance was defeated by a tally of 696-582, Town
Manager Carlo Puiia said shortly before midnight on Tuesday.

"The people came out and voted and we always have to respect how the
legislative body speaks," he said.

"So the board has to respect those numbers and go from there."

He said he believes the issue will be discussed further at a future
meeting, but when that will be scheduled isn't yet clear.

"Somebody could consider that it is of an urgent nature," Puiia said.

"However, based on the moratorium, which is good through July, it
probably will wait for another agenda."

"And I think the new board will agree to that, that they may not be
prepared to broach that subject," he said.

"So, possibly this will give all the board members ample time to weigh
in and maybe consider what that next step will be, if there is a next
step."

Additionally, he said town officials will now have to wait to hear
from Boston-based wind developer First Wind if Tuesday's defeat kills
their interest in still pursuing a $65 million wind farm on Rumford
hills.

The current moratorium on wind projects expires on July 25.

The first proposed ordinance, largely believed to be a permanent
moratorium on wind farms, was defeated at the Nov. 2 polls by a tally
of 1,339 to 1,048.

Selectmen started work on a second proposal, and then dumped that in
favor of Selectman Jeff Sterling's rewrite in late April of the
defeated ordinance.

The board then held a rare Sunday workshop last month and went through
nearly every page of Sterling's 26-page draft.

At a subsequent meeting, the board then voted everything in, mostly by
3-2 tallies with Sterling, Adley and Selectman Mark Belanger approving
and Selectmen Greg Buccina and Jeremy Volkernick dissenting.

The proposal was expedited onto the June town meeting warrant rather
than wait for a special town meeting or November ballot attempt.

Authors of the first proposal and Buccina and Volkernick claimed the
new ordinance caters to wind developers and wouldn't protect the town.

They asked voters not to accept it, saying it needs to be reworked.

The new proposal's backers said otherwise, that it allows and
regulates such development, and is more stringent than that of the
Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Whether they had any effect on the outcome or not, there was no
shortage of people or signs all day Tuesday telling residents how to
vote on the proposed wind ordinance.

Throughout balloting hours between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., people on both
sides of the issue held signs urging Yes or No votes.

They stood on both sides of Memorial Bridge and at the lower end of
Canal Street and Route 108 trying to catch the attention of voters
headed to the polls at the American Legion hall on upper Congress
Street.

Dixfield resident Alice Barnett brought several of her large paintings
depicting area landscapes marked with many stark white wind turbines
and lined the panels along the bridge where she stood holding Vote No
signs.

Wind ordinance supporters J. Arthur Boivin and Kay Rand of Rumford and
a few others held Vote Yes signs for most of the day.

A red van strategically parked along the Route 2 rotary and a pickup
truck parked on lower Canal Street sported large handwritten signs
urging No votes.

Additionally, evidence remained throughout town of last week's rampant
vandalism of First Wind's Vote Yes signs.

Using red paint, the vandal or vandals spraypainted a large NO over
the YES on several of the blue and white signs sometime during the
night of June 7 or early morning of June 8.

That happened the day after someone stole 50 of the signs, Boivin said.

That's why he said he waited until early Tuesday morning to place many
more signs along Rumford roads so they, too, wouldn't be stolen or
vandalized.

Meet the Moores--Voices from Lincoln

Richard and Betty Moore live at an idyllic spot, so typical of the rolling hardwood ridges and lakes that are the northeastern uplands of Maine. They have a small farm, raising sheep and llamas, on Transalpine Rd. in Lincoln, Maine on a hill overlooking Upper Cold Stream Pond and the ridges of Rocky Dundee. They worked hard to live the life they chose on the outskirts of town, on the edge of the vast unsettled country stretching from Lincoln to the Canadian border. So quiet at night they can hear the call of the loons from the lake below and the howls of the coyotes on the ridges above them. So quiet that the rumble of an early morning logging truck coming down the hill echoes across the valley as they begin their day.

The idyll for the Moores is being shattered, as during the winter the Rollins Project of First Wind has been built out. “The blasting was terrible”, says Betty. “I think I was one of the first ones to call 911. Nobody informed us about the blasting. It scared the daylights out of the animals”. She points out the ridgeline where a seeming endless string of turbines peek above the tree line and wonders aloud about how much noise they will be subjected to when the project starts up. Richard enthusiastically tells the story of how the llamas bravely protect the sheep from the coyotes, but wonders what effect the noise of the turbines will have on the animals.

First and foremost, Richard Moore points out he is a Lincoln native and a proud patriot. He is the Commander of the local VFW post. Like many people from Maine, he has worked hard to make a living and stay in the familiar rural area where it isn’t built up and hunting and fishing are right at the doorstep. Before the construction of the Rollins Project, he just accepted what he had heard about wind power development as a good thing. The more he learned about wind, the more skeptical he and his wife became. He is particularly rankled that although the couple is severely impacted by the Rocky Dundee portion of First Wind’s project, nobody ever came to speak to them about it.

The Moores have already decided to move and have found a quiet spot near the Passadumkeag River in nearby Burlington “away from the turbines”. They will soon list their farm with a realtor, though they don’t believe their prospects are good. “It just stands to reason”, says Richard, “that the view is ruined by all the turbines. I don’t know how much the value of the property will drop if the noise is anywhere near what some say it might be.” Indeed, noise may very well be a problem at the property, with 18 turbines all within a mile. The closest ten are on the ridge about a half-mile to the north of them; the furthest are across the deep valley of Upper Cold Stream Pond. Acoustics expert Robert Rand confirms that people like the Moores in the Lincoln Lakes will have problems with turbine noise. There are over 800 properties on the lakes or overlooking the lakes that are likely to be affected by noise from the forty GE 1.5 MW turbines. The 389-foot tall turbines spread across seven miles of ridges that rise above the thirteen Lincoln Lakes.

The Moores are particularly disturbed by the impact of the project being so pervasive when the area doesn’t seem to have the wind to support viable generation of electricity. “It seems like a waste of taxpayers money to me”, states Richard. His wife adds “I understand First Wind will get a big check from the government just for building this project. We don’t want it. We don’t need it. Taxes are high enough without wasting money on wind power. Government meddling to push wind power is causing us to sell this farm with this great view and move. That’s just not fair.”

Richard notes that not only will the Rollins Project not produce much power, but also the power isn’t even used in Lincoln. “We don’t need to destroy our area here in rural Maine for sending power to southern New England. If they want wind power, let them build the turbines down there”. He notes that the Rocky Dundee ridges were rich in wildlife, having a good reputation as a deer hunting area. He can’t see that the wind turbines and wildlife can be compatible. It also worries him that he hears about other nearby areas that are being targeted for wind power development, such as Oakfield, Bowers Mountain and Passadumkeag Mountain. “Before you know it, all we will have is wind turbines. Then where is the wildlife going to live? Where will we be able to find peace and quiet and the views that make this area so special?”

The Moores reflect emerging opinion of many Mainers in the areas that are targeted for wind power development. The same issues are raised in every area: noise, visual impact, loss of property value, violation of citizen’s rights to determine whether a wind project should be in their town, and an ever-increasing knowledge base that wind power’s negative issues far outweigh the touted benefits.

The Rollins Project in Lincoln Lakes will be replicated dozens of times in the northeastern Uplands of Maine and along the spine of the Longfellow Range in western Maine. Rollins is a medium size project, with a trend toward using larger turbines with greater height emerging as more plans are announced. A number of projects with fewer turbines are being proposed as “Community Based Power” but with the exception of Vinalhaven, these projects have not been well received. In quite the opposite trend in the past year, a number of towns across Maine have adopted stringent wind ordinances to protect all citizens. This is a point not lost on Richard Moore, who notes that the Rollins Project was built in a Rural Residential 2 zone. He feels the Town of Lincoln cared more about First Wind than its own citizens.

Wind Power development becomes more controversial with every new project, as more people become aware that the small amount of electricity gained and the effort to offset carbon and the effect on climate change are not worth the local impacts on communities. Wind Power divides communities, with some people gaining at the expense of others. People are hurt by having lives dis-rupted and property value lost. We must not allow wind power to so greatly disrupt Maine’s “Life as It Should Be.”

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Photos courtesy of Friends of Lincoln Lakes
Interview conducted by Bradbury Blake