Gov. Martin O'Malley has decided against allowing private companies to build windmills on state park land in western Maryland, WBAL TV 11 News has learned.

The governor strongly supports developing solar and wind energy. Wind power is a pollution-free energy source that can generate enough electricity to power 55,000 households.

But clear-cutting acres of state forests to install the windmills is being met with overwhelming public opposition, and the governor is choosing to put the quality-of-life of those most impacted ahead of profits, 11 News reporter David Collins said.

The state was looking into leasing the top of Backbone Mountain in the Savage River State Forest. But the state would have had to clear-cut 400 acres of the mountain to install the windmills, Collins reported.

Last December, the governor asked the Department of Natural Resources to look into the issue and solicit public opinion.

The DNR held two public hearings -- one in Annapolis and one in western Maryland -- and found that 86 percent of those who attended opposed using public land. The DNR also solicited opinions online, where 83 percent of the hundreds who participated opposed.

In the online forum, one person wrote that "it's unattractive and would kill thousands of migratory birds," and another said that it would hurt the environment. Another person, Ronald, explained that the amount of energy generated from windmills isn't sufficient to justify the environmental and aesthetic costs. A fourth said he didn't approve of letting private companies profit from using public land.

The governor weighed the opportunity to lease the 400 acres for as much as $40 million a year and about $14 million in local taxes against public and local political opposition. The windmills could be seen in touristy areas, such as Deep Creek Lake and the Savage River Reservoir.

Wind energy advocates first proposed using public lands in 2002. The idea survived three lawsuits, and a fourth is under appeal at the Maryland Court of Appeals.

Advocacy group Wind Developers in Maryland challenged the governor to make his policy goals more than just words. They said construction of windmills on private land in Maryland begins next year.

O'Malley is expected to announce Saturday at an overlook of the mountain that he opposes allowing wind farms on public lands.