Once again, you have made a farce out of the democratic process by remaining silent and secretive over the past seven years while avoiding a reasonable moratorium or making any comment on this matter until the last several weeks. Some serious realism and a sense of public purpose is needed, and not the arrogant and incompetent actions that seem to permeate this administration.

US Wind Force has been planning this development since at least as early as 2004. Why is it that when a developer starts planning, the county cannot make any changes to local zoning regulations for fear of lawsuit? ...The county commission has the right (and the duty) to make changes to ordinances, when necessary, to protect the well-being of the citizens of Allegany County, regardless of who is planning what project.

Frostburg State University's president, Jonathan Gibralter, wrote in praise of renewable energy initiatives, particularly wind technology mentioning, among other examples, Denmark, and implying that Danish wind projects were leading the way to a better European energy future. Gilbralter is doubtless prospecting for more government grant funds in the renewable energy marketplace, as university presidents are wont to do these days. However, he knows little about his subject, which is an increasing problem with academics on an economic mission. ...None of the other examples President Gibralter provides as evidence for wind technology's effectiveness would pass even casual scrutiny. Since it provides no capacity and produces such desultory energy, conventional plants must accompany wind energy, providing most of its power over time. University presidents should embrace the skepticism of science, rather than be seduced by deceits of fashion.

"Renewable power mandates merely accentuate the inefficiency and cost premiums attached to so-called renewable power sources," said Jerry Taylor, director of natural resource studies at the Cato Institute. "If renewable power saved consumers money, created jobs, or carried any of the other economic benefits so frequently claimed by environmental activists, then government would not have to pass a law to force power companies to purchase it or consumers to buy it."

I am writing as a private citizen to respectfully request that you consider supporting a repeal of the act (SB 566) which allows land-based industrial wind turbines to be built without a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) being required.