At what price do we give the nod to wind towers on mountaintops in sight of the Appalachian Trail?
At what price do we give the nod to wind towers on mountaintops in sight of the Appalachian Trail?
There was big talking going on last night at Sugarloaf about the proposed wind turbine project to be located just a few miles to the west on the crest of the Redington Mountains.
The folks at LURC, who will ultimately give the thumbs up or down to the project, apparently got quite an earful from both sides.
The issue has caused many of us who care deeply about Maine's environment while recognizing our need for cleaner domestic energy to do some heavy thinking and soul searching.
At what price do we give the nod to wind towers on mountaintops in sight of the Appalachian Trail?
At what point do we seriously say "enough" to OPEC and steer a new path toward renewable energy sources?
At the very least, the matter is forcing us to …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]There was big talking going on last night at Sugarloaf about the proposed wind turbine project to be located just a few miles to the west on the crest of the Redington Mountains.
The folks at LURC, who will ultimately give the thumbs up or down to the project, apparently got quite an earful from both sides.
The issue has caused many of us who care deeply about Maine's environment while recognizing our need for cleaner domestic energy to do some heavy thinking and soul searching.
At what price do we give the nod to wind towers on mountaintops in sight of the Appalachian Trail?
At what point do we seriously say "enough" to OPEC and steer a new path toward renewable energy sources?
At the very least, the matter is forcing us to confront reality. Our choices are here. Now. Amid global energy instability in an increasingly uncertain world.
Scott Cowger is right. This will be a "watershed event" for us in Maine.
But I don't believe for a moment that its all or nothing. If it doesn't happen at Redington it's not the end for wind power in Maine.
Will there be wind power in Maine? Maybe. But where?Your backyard? Mine? Who's?
Will there be wind power in Maine? Maybe. But where?Your backyard? Mine? Who's?
I no longer support this project.
But I do support wind power development in other areas of Maine. Along the coast. In blueberry barrens. On farms. In more developed areas.
There are other options besides our western mountains, where wind turbines would cause enormous and unacceptable visual pollution.
But then, there's going to be visual effects regardless of the location. And that will have to be debated.
Hopefully, we can and will agree on acceptable sites and make the bold move of developing wind energy here in Maine. Sooner rather than later.
But unfortunately, Redington isn't the place.