In her third executive order, Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday ended a 2018 moratorium restricting the issuance of permits for wind turbine projects across the state.

Energy Policy Maine

Residents made more noise than the quiet wind on Wednesday as stakeholders met at the Airline Community School to discuss a proposal for a 22-turbine wind farm under review by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

General Maine

Roxwind LLC has submitted a permit application to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for the Roxwind Project on North Twin Mountain. The project would produce 15.2 megawatts of power and include access roads and overhead and underground collection lines.

General Maine

LUPC approval is required because some of the project, which is spread between Eastbrook, Osborn, Aurora and Township 16, is in unorganized territory, where land use planning is governed by the state. The plans also will have to be approved by the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

General Maine

The wind turbine was purchased from and installed by Entegrity Wind Systems in February 2008 for about $200,000. ...Entegrity guaranteed that for five years the turbine would produce 90,000 kilowatt-hours a year and the promise for five years of free maintenance. Unfortunately, Entegrity went bankrupt in 2009, and when the company dissolved so did the guarantee.

General Maine

After eight years of what some call obstructionist policies, renewables advocates look forward to Janet Mills in the Blaine House.

Energy Policy Maine

Because it may or may not be there when you flip the switch, the value of electricity generated by windmills is limited. Energy expert James LaBrecque said it this way: “Together, all the intermittent solar and wind power installed across the country has never displaced a single dispatchable generation plant. These expensive, low-production sources of power add additional cost to the whole electric system by forcing dispatchable generators to run less efficiently and less productively."

General Maine

As the Maine Wind Energy Act enters a second decade, developers say the state is unlikely to see strings of new turbine towers on the horizon, as market forces overtake policy directives. In 2018, only a 22-turbine wind farm in Hancock County and a four-turbine project in Oxford County have active permit applications. There are several reasons why.

Energy Policy Maine

Maine's next leader has the potential to alter the state's priorities, and each of the four candidates has distinctive views on renewables, regulations and CMP's proposal in western Maine.

General Maine

The controversial commission held its first meeting Thursday ...The Maine Wind Energy Advisory Commission is charged with examining the potential economic impact of commercial wind power development on tourism in western and coastal Maine as well as recommending changes to the state’s existing permitting system for wind power projects.

General Maine

Chris O'Neil, a consultant to wind power opponents, quit the Maine Wind Energy Advisory Commission last week, the third departure in recent months from the panel that LePage exempted from Maine's right-to-know law.

General Maine

“There’s basically no benefit to Maine, there’s no amount of money worth this kind of massive destruction. It would change the brand of Maine. There would be multiple negative impacts including to tourism, the environment,” she says. “These towers are 100 feet tall,” says opponent Matt Wagner.

Transmission Canada Maine

A Boston-based energy development firm has revived a proposal to construct what would be a third wind farm in northeastern Hancock County. ...The Weaver Wind proposal, which Longroad bought out of SunEdison’s 2016 bankruptcy, would result in 22 turbines being erected in the two towns.

General Maine

No land closures planned

General Maine

Greenwood residents Monday overwhelmingly approved proposed amendments to the commercial wind farm section of town ordinance, effectively banning such farms through a new tower height restriction. The vote was 206-41.

Zoning/Planning Maine

Many property owners have expressed concern about what they say are possible negative effects of wind turbines in areas such as noise, health, scenic resources, wildlife and property values. One new ordinance provision – the height restriction on turbine towers – would effectively ban commercial wind projects, according to town officials.

Zoning/Planning Maine

Superior Court Justice Andrew Horton says the executive order hasn't stopped any wind projects, but one of the groups behind the suit says it could be challenged if any are blocked.

General Maine

Franklin County residents and elected officials will have the opportunity Monday night to question Central Maine Power Co. authorities about a proposed Quebec-to-Massachusetts power line that would run through six towns and about 33 miles of the county.

Energy Policy Transmission Maine

LePage’s executive order says no wind turbine permits are to be issued until a new wind energy advisory commission reports on the impact of wind projects. The commission is collecting public comment until Aug. 15, and court documents say its 15 members, whose names have not been made public, include Governor’s Energy Office Director Steven McGrath.

General Maine

Investors in clean energy are looking to Maine's gubernatorial election to see if the political opposition to wind power will shift in the state, which is currently leading in Northeast wind generation.

General Maine