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newsroom Wind Energy in the NewsMaine Legislature Unanimously Approves Wind Recommendations In a unanimous vote, the Maine Legislature approved legislation to implement recommendations of a governor’s task force for fostering wind energy development. By a vote of 139-0 in the House and 34-0 in the Senate, lawmakers approved final enactment of the legislation. The recommendations are part of a strategy to improve energy security, control electricity costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide economic and environmental benefits to residents of the state. The bill calls for developing at least 2,000 MW of wind power in Maine by 2015 and at least 3,000 MW by 2020, which would make Maine one of the top wind power generating states in the eastern U.S. The legislation was carefully developed to ensure that wind power is developed in a fashion that protects Maine’s “quality of place,” according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and also to provide tangible benefits to Maine people. “ Maine lawmakers did a great thing today,” said NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim. “Every single one of them voted yes for making Maine a leader in wind power development, yes for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and yes for addressing the threat of climate change.” Developer UPC Wind applauded the legislation virtually across the board. “We’re really pleased with the task force’s effort, which demonstrates the kind of leadership that will make Maine a hub for the [wind] resource,” said Matt Kearns, speaking to Wind Energy Weekly. Citing the “staggering” amount of pollution emitted in New England and referencing Maine’s long history of exporting its valuable natural resources, Kearns said the legislation offers an “opportunity for Maine to provide an important resource to both [the state] and the region.” The legislation improves the permitting process for wind power projects, establishes expedited permitting areas, requires that wind power projects provide tangible benefits to Maine people, and promotes development of community-level wind power. The legislation implements the consensus recommendations of a16-member task force established in 2007 that issued its report in February. The group included Democrat and Republican state legislators, representatives of wind developers, staff of environmental organizations, state agency officials, and citizens. The legislation is a key victory not only in terms of bringing more renewable energy to the region, but also in terms of it being a possible turning point for wind power in New England, which has been slower to embrace the renewable resource than some other parts of the country. In fact, challenges emblematic of those faced in the rest of the country still need to be tackled in Maine and New England—for one, in the area of transmission. “[The legislation] is a turning point for the region, but there are challenges,” said Kearns. Still, he said, both Maine’s regulatory bodies and utilities are showing true leadership on transmission and other issues. Kearns said the federal government “could take a page from the Maine playbook” in fashioning a national policy on renewables that addresses all facets (e.g., transmission) of the issue. UPC even expressed support for the more restrictive elements of the legislation, such as those addressing “view sheds,” or, areas within sight of state parks and other scenic parts of the state, because the bill creates clarity on previously nebulous regulation. “We think there are some clarifications in that regard that are helpful,” said Kearns. “It’s important that we face [view and other issues] head on.” Source: Wind Energy Weekly, 18 April 2008
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