The Legislature may soon be taking another look at the state’s policy on wind power, which is warranted due to the opposition and the fact that the Wind Energy Act was made law in 2008.

An investigative article written by Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting writers Naomi Schalit and John Christie recently took a look at the act and what both sides have to say on the matter.

A group of residents from the townships and plantations of Concord, Lexington, Highland, Carrying Place and Pleasant Ridge ”“ communities between the Kennebec and Carrabassett rivers ”“ have submitted a petition to lawmakers.

They’re asking legislators to pass a bill, LD 616, which would remove those five communities from the Wind Energy Act’s “expedited permitting area,” where wind projects can be fast-tracked.

There are some causes for concern with the act, and the fact that one layer of appeal was removed in this process, as well as the vast amount of land that is now considered expedited permitting area.

However, it is not right to cherry-pick the communities that are or are not included in the act and its zones, simply because some residents oppose turbines in their line of sight.

Many zoning and land use decisions are made for the good of the public, environment and state even if they might not be advantageous or welcome by all landowners. Clear-cutting in shoreland zones, for example, is often prohibited because of the adverse effect it would have on erosion and water quality. Even if a person buys property on the waterfront, it doesn’t mean they can necessarily have an unobstructed view just because they purchased the land.

There is a similar reasoning for wind power. While people may not like the look and sound of turbines, projects are allowed for the good of the public. Fossil fuels are finite ”“ meaning the world will run out of oil one day, and because of that, the cost will likely continue to rise.

It’s incumbent upon all nations to develop renewable resources for the world’s power needs, whether it be wind or solar power, geothermal heat or reusing waste products for pellets and biofuel.

In creating the task force to draft a report that would pave the way for the Wind Energy Act of 2008, then-Gov. John Baldacci wanted to make Maine a national leader in wind energy.

Since then, seven industrial-scale wind power projects have been approved and five of them built. Six more proposed projects are under state review, according to the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting article.

During testimony on LD 616, Ben Gilman of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce spoke to the economic impact of these developments. Gilman said more than $1 billion has been invested into the state’s economy through wind power developments since 2008, and any changes to the act would discourage investment in the state by wind power companies in the future.

There will be major environmental and economic implications of making changes to the Wind Energy Act of 2008. As legislators consider whether to move forward with a review, and completing the review itself, they need to keep in mind the far-reaching effects of the act and how many will power its homes and businesses long into the future.

Ӣ Ӣ Ӣ

Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at [email protected].