BINGHAM – Residents of central Somerset County are becoming familiar with developers wanting to install wind turbines on the area’s hilltops.

While some people see the pending development as a way to increase tax revenue and bring jobs, others want to keep their landscape wild — and retain control over how their communities change.

So at a recent open house held by the fourth wind energy company in the last several years to eye the area’s high ground, the largest group of people didn’t flock to the bright informational placards situated in Quimby Middle School’s gymnasium.

They gathered around a state legislator.

Fearful that the blades of turbines will come to dominate the landscape, and frustrated by what they say is a lack of local control, people from rural communities are driving proposals to toughen rules surrounding how developers receive permits and do business.

More than 10 bills have been proposed by legislators to make permitting standards more strict, provide recourse for those whose property values might be diminished by nearby turbines, and create a code of ethics for developers.

Advertisement

Several of the proposed bills are sponsored by state Rep. Larry Dunphy, R-Embden, who attended last Wednesday’s open house about Iberdrola Renewables’ possible wind farm in Concord and Lexington townships. He unintentionally drew about a dozen people who wanted to share their concerns.

Three test towers — one north of Spruce Pond in Lexington and two in Concord, on Fletcher Mountain and west of Little Houston Brook — have been gathering wind data since December. The nearest test tower is more than 5,000 feet from a home, said Paul Copleman, communications manager for Iberdrola Renewables.

It will be about a year before Iberdrola decides whether to submit a permit application for a wind farm, Copleman said, and it takes a total of three to five years to complete a project. He emphasized, “We want the process open — open to questions and open to concerns.”

One other developer is also measuring the amount of wind: A partnership involving Pittsfield’s Cianbro Corp. has test towers in Moscow and Caratunk.

Boston-based First Wind plans to submit its permit applications this spring for a project to install about 50 wind turbines in Mayfield and Blanchard townships and Bingham.

Brunswick-based Independence Wind’s permit for a 39-turbine project in Highland Plantation is currently under review by the state Land Use Regulation Commission.

Advertisement

The potential projects, however, may be altered if legislation is passed. One bill sponsored by Dunphy, who is on the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, would place a six-month moratorium on wind energy applications, to allow time to review related policies. The proposed bill — L.D. 502 — would not affect permit applications already submitted to the state.

“We need to get some data, don’t we?” Dunphy said to residents. “We need to get some conclusive data for Maine.”

Wind energy developers, however, will be paying close attention to the legislative process.

“Iberdrola Renewables is interested in helping the state achieve its renewable energy goals, and our experience and commitment to responsible development can help the state make use of its abundant resource,” Copleman said in an email.

“Without commenting on any of the bills specifically, bills that effectively discourage responsible, well-designed wind development have the potential to stifle economic development in Maine both near and long term.”

Critics of wind energy development, though, say changing the law is the only way for them to regain authority over their landscape and environment.

Advertisement

It’s especially the case for those living in unorganized territories, said David Corrigan of Concord, since they can’t institute wind energy ordinances — the Land Use Regulation Commission has that authority.

In order to have a say, therefore, “we’ve got to change the law at the state level,” said Corrigan, a Maine Guide.

“There are very few places in the world where people can live and make a living the way I do,” he said, adding that he is also worried about what development will do to his business and the moose, deer, bobcat and golden bald eagle populations.

“I’ve got clients that have already said, ‘If these things go up, I’m not coming back,’” he said.

Susan Belanger of Moscow would see Iberdrola’s turbines from her house and said the thought “makes me sick.”

“We like it because it’s untouched,” she said. A wind farm is “not something that’s right for this area.”

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.