Vermonters who are concerned about a potential onslaught of industrial wind towers in this state should ask this of the governor.

If he wants commercial wind turbines on top of our mountains, then he should say so. If he thinks the state needs a policy that Vermonters can live with, he should lead the effort and bring it to the people.

Douglas' position on wind power has been murky at best. He says he supports plans for a commercial wind development on a mountaintop in the Northeast Kingdom as a "demonstration project." He also likes "Vermont scale renewable energy on state-owned lands," such as the new small-scale wind tower at the Alburg Welcome Center.

On the larger, more troubling issue of opening up the state's ridgelines to 330-foot-tall wind towers by private developers, the governor has been noncommittal. These strobe-lighted, 30-story-tall wind turbines have the potential to drastically alter the landscape of this state and harm some of its most remote and ecologically fragile areas.

Where is the governor? He ought to lay his cards on the table for all of Vermont to see. Contact the governor Where does Gov. Jim Douglas stand on wind turbines on Vermont's ridgelines? Ask him. His phone number is 828-3333.