Quantum Utility Generation LLC is applying to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for a permit to construct 14 wind turbines on Passadumkeag Mountain in Grand Falls.

The electricity from this project is destined to go to a utility in western Massachusetts. There will be no benefit to the majority of Maine residents other than some taxes and other benefits to Penobscot County. Maine electric rates will not be lowered; in fact, on July 1, they were raised by Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric.

Additional Photos

Turbines tower over the landscape at the Stetson wind farm in Danforth. The benefits of wind energy have been exaggerated, and the costs have been largely overlooked, readers say. 2010 File Photo/Gregory Rec

The major reason is to finance improving and enlarging the grid to accommodate the surge in electric power from wind turbines when actually functioning (only 25 percent of capacity). They will not replace existing power plants, which are necessary as backup when there is insufficient wind.

Wind farms are not economically competitive with other forms of energy production, particularly natural gas. They could not survive without the extensive assistance from the federal government consisting of cash grants, the productive tax credit and the renewable energy credit, all of which are ultimately provided by the U.S. taxpayer.

In addition to destroying the aesthetic value of our mountains and lakes in northern Maine, wind projects such as that proposed for Passadumkeag Mountain have a negative effect on our tourist industry (who wants to look at these monstrosities?) and property values for those in their environs.

We in Maine, particularly in the northern part, pay the price of having our scenic mountains covered with wind turbines while most of the profits go to an out-of-state developer and its investors. The commercial wind industry in Maine is a scam.

If you agree, send a message to the DEP regarding the proposed Passadumkeag Mountain project. There are already 19 such projects existing or under development in Maine. Our state does not need another one.

Donald W. Wilson

Scarborough

I’m one of thousands of residents who oppose industrial wind power development in Maine.

As a sales and marketing professional, I agree 100 percent with the Brookings Institution study that defined Maine’s “quality of place” as its No. 1 asset. It’s the one asset that cannot be duplicated by any other Northeastern state.

What we have is unique to Maine, and we should be doing everything within reason to preserve its natural beauty.

Instead, our Legislature and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection are giving these out-of-state and foreign-country developers carte blanche with two-thirds of our state.

I’m not some “green” environmentalist who wants to stop all commercial development. I do consider myself a conservationist and choose to live in rural Maine for its diverse offering of outdoor recreational opportunities and for the rural small-town way of life — both of which are now being impacted by industrial wind power development.

These projects also jeopardize our state’s largest industry — tourism. If visitors wanted to recreate in the shadows of grid-scale energy facilities, they could do it closer to home and not spend their valued vacation dollars in Maine.

As noted in Tux Turkel’s article “Wind summit touts growing Maine potential” (Sept. 5), we’re seeing taller towers and larger rotors with each new project. These industrial turbines are now nearly 50 stories tall, and each project impacts an otherwise natural-looking viewshed for hundreds of square miles.

We who live in rural Maine already are painfully aware of the permanent damage these projects are doing to our No. 1 asset, and also the severe divisiveness that is caused by the developers in our communities.

It’s about time those who live in the more populated portions of the state educate themselves on the real issues, instead of being sucked in by the wind industry’s public relations campaign.

Kevin Gurall

Lakeville

Cheap goods from overseas still cost Americans dearly

I purchased two shirts at the Maine Mall. When I looked at the tags at home, they were made in Vietnam. I returned them. I was ashamed that items made in Vietnam are sold here after more than 58,000 men and women were killed there (and some never located).

I checked a store at Running Hill Mall, and that store carried poor-quality items made in Vietnam. I left the store. I don’t understand the morals of some in the USA and their lack of pride. It’s sad that you would want to purchase the items.

Wake up! We can make better quality here in the USA! My partner served in Vietnam and you must know someone who did, too. It’s shameful. Please check before you buy.

There are names on tags from countries I can’t pronounce or know where they are, but the items are in the stores. I will be looking for items made in the USA. I may pay more, but it’s worth it (though not everyone can do this).

Remember, in all the wars we lost men and women. Just don’t buy from these countries. I’m ashamed, Americans are losing some of our choices and losing to these companies. They don’t care, it’s money in their hands. Very sad!

June Watson

Westbrook

Time to think creatively to assist city’s homeless

It really is sad that we had a kid sleeping in the foyer of our building one recent morning. This city needs to open a few more shelters. Every winter, you read about homeless people freezing to death. It is sad. Well, thanks to the Portland Police Department for coming over and waking the poor kid up.

Whatever this city does is not enough. There are plenty of empty buildings around. Open one up as a shelter for the homeless. Get them off the streets. Whatever politician can do that will be the one I vote for.

With the exception of a few, everybody else just looks the other way when it comes to the homeless.

Sure, some of them will spend every cent on booze. But what about the rest of them? The ones who really do need a meal or a place to sleep?

Opening more shelters and soup kitchens in the city would help solve the problem and also create jobs.

Cut the pay to some of these government officials and put it to the homelessness epidemic that is only getting worse and will not go away because people ignore it.

Michael Brooks

Portland

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