Existing or proposed wind power projects in northern New England. Excludes locations where wind is being measured but no turbines have been proposed yet.

Lisa Linowes of National Wind Watch says a project on the scale of Loranger's isn't nearly as bad as some. But if it succeeds, she predicts big companies will try to move in to capitalize on the resource.

"A wind farm is an industrial installation of vast proportions," noted civic activist Dave Buhrman this week, "and, if erected on the loftiest ridges, its industrial flavor becomes the new focal point for all view-sheds within a 15-mile radius."

"It's like putting lipstick on a pig," said Larry Newhart, a challenger of the turbine projects. "You can dress it up however you want but it's still a pig."

MONTEREY— It’s been nearly four tumultuous years since the idea of industrial wind energy first surfaced in Highland County. As state-level reviews and court decisions move along, 2006 might bring closure to the issue here. Given the amount of time it’s taken to get this far, however, few would bet on that. Those opposed to the project continue to fight vigorously at every level to prevent construction.

SHEFFIELD VERMONT After reviewing a written preliminary proposal from UPC Vermont Wind behind closed doors, selectmen rejected it Wednesday night.

MANCHESTER - During his visit for the Northshire Day School ribbon cutting ceremony, Governor James Douglas said he does not support construction of the five-turbine commercial wind farm proposed at Little Equinox Mountain here in Manchester.

COPEMISH — Several northern Michigan residents are already working on plans for the 2006 Michigan Energy Fair, which is scheduled for June 16-18 at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama.

HARWICH — There could be a 50-meter anemometer tower measuring wind speed on the grounds of Harwich High School as early as this spring. But Barry Worth, chairman of the town’s utilities and energy conservation commission, told selectmen they will need to sign off on a property loan agreement for the tower beforehand.

The Hopkins Ridge Wind Project has 83 massive wind turbines, all standing 335 feet high from the ground to the vertical tip of their 262-foot-diameter, three-blade rotors. The turbine towers are spread across 11,000 acres of mostly privately owned range and farm land.

"The original battle took two hours and thousands of people died. The second battle took two years and no blood was spilt. And it was all the better because the French and the British worked together to achieve this victory."

The city of Flagstaff's purchase of a water ranch 35 miles to the east means a wind energy farm on the property can go forward.

MENDOTA - A solar-energy company has plans to branch out into the wind-energy business with an 84-megawatt wind farm in Lee and LaSalle counties.

The Ashtabula County Citizens for Open Government will meet 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Henderson Library in Jefferson. The subject this month is "Alternative Energy Sources."

MCHENRY - Although the mountain tops of Western Maryland are currently “turbineless,” plans for several wind farm projects are in various stages of development.U.S. Windforce, a Pennsylvania-based company, has a number of projects in the works.

The village’s ambition to become a tourist centre was given a boost last month when the French state electricity generator, Eléctricité de France (EDF), withdrew a planning application to place four 459ft (140m) wind turbines half a mile from the battlefield. The plan had been fought by campaigners on both sides of the Channel, including the actor, Robert Hardy, who said that it would desecrate the battlefield.

STAMFORD, Conn. - Giant windmills are popping up on farms, scenic mountain ridges, prairie grass and now an Indian reservation, dramatically changing the nation's landscape and spinning a debate about where they belong.

"Because this is rather new technology, most of the information is coming from the developers themselves and they are not going to raise matters that might be detrimental to the industry.... They are trying to rush these developments through for at the moment the system is very attractive with its tax shelters and carbon credit availability. But we need to slow this all down and look long term at the issues."

"If it's difficult for me [Public Service Commissioner Susan Wefald] to figure out who's doing what (in wind development), the average person doesn't have a chance," she said.

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Two utilities and a pipeline company have dropped plans to build a wind farm in southeastern North Dakota, in part because of rising wind turbine prices, officials said.