Wind power advocates from across Maine talked about economic and environmental impact and turbine noise during a panel forum Thursday night at Black Mountain Ski Lodge.

Moderator Patti Duguay made it clear from the start that wind power projects proposed for Rumford and Roxbury would not be discussed by the audience of more than 120 people.

Andy Shepard of Maine Winter Sports Center, which owns the Rumford ski area and hosted the event, set a pro-wind power tone in his introduction. Panelist Dylan Voorhees of the Natural Resources Council of Maine cemented the stance.

"We strongly support wind power in Maine because it is a clean energy and it will help to address climate change," he said.

"It will also help to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, " he said. "Fifteen percent of our power comes from coal-powered plants in New England. Our dependence on fossil fuels is not... [continue via Web link]