Maine Mountain Power LLC has proposed erecting 30 turbines, each 41 stories high, over Redington Pond Range and Black Nubble Mountain in Redington and Wyman Township in Franklin County.

The hearings are an opportunity for the public to weigh in -- from residents who would be able to see the project from their back deck to environmentalist advocating for threatened species.

Opposed by environmental groups who say the Redington site is simply too fragile and special, the project is also seen as potentially precedent-setting in a state that has a large potential for wind power.

Supporting the project are groups as disparate as the Maine Lung Association and the Maine Council of Churches.

Wednesday night, more than 300 people filled a large room in Sugarloaf USA's base lodge where the Land Use Regulation Commission opened the hearing at 6 p.m.

The commission, which overseas land use issues in the unorganized... [continue via Web link]