Bangor Daily News

December 21, 2012

Story by Nick Sambides 

Rather than pasting the story in here, follow the link here.  And add some comments!

"Through its Maine Power Reliability Program, CMP is upgrading a swath of power lines through central Maine to connect to lines from Canada."  Excerpt from Sun Journal story :     http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2012/12/20/cmp-powers-larrabee-road-substation/1295931

This is the first I've heard of the connection to Canadian lines…

DEP plans public hearing for Bowers Mountain wind proposal

The UMPI turbine has racked up 11,243 kWh in the past ten days, an average of 1,124.3 kWh per day. Installed capacity is 14,400 kWh per day; Capacity Factor was .078.

Dear fellow CTFWP members,

In November 2009, the Citizen’s Task Force on Wind Power was established at a meeting in Augusta attended by 27 concerned citizens from around the state. The meeting was organized by Dr. Monique Aniel and Steve Thurston, who were appointed co-chairs. Three goals were established at the first meeting:

     1. To influence the legislative and regulatory processes to protect the health and welfare of citizens  from the harmful effects of recent laws…

State Rep. Mark Dion of Portland has always seemed to be a bright and sensible guy. This week he gave a radio speech on heating Maine homes and businesses. As so often happens, he committed many sins of omission and/or commission, thereby misleading Maine people. Below is the text of his speech in quotations, with our comments embedded: …

Maine's DEP to hold first ever wind project public hearing



Carroll Plt, Maine  - December 11, 2012 – Boston-based wind developer First Wind is facing growing opposition to its second attempt to build an industrial wind project on Bowers Mountain in the scenic Downeast Lakes Region of Maine. In a related development, Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Patricia Aho announced that DEP will hold a public evidentiary hearing on the…

So let's make those energy costs yet higher with wind power and its costly new transmission. And wreck our tourism businesses with industrialization of sacred places just for good measure.

The current policies of the Scottish Government are promoting the reckless development of industrial wind throughout the beautiful landscapes of Scotland just as the windies are in Maine. 



Please sign the petition: http://chn.ge/VJ0gUn and pass along the word to your friends, family, and neighbors. 



David, Lisa, and Harley -- Wind Wise…

WITHIN THE PAST  THREE  YEARS , ROLLINS, ROXBURY , OAKFIELD 1, AND SADDLEBACK APPEALS TO THE SUPREME COURT  HAVE  ALLOWED THE MAINE  JUSTICES TO HEAR THE OTHER  SIDE  OF WIND  POWER .

ROLLINS, OAKFIELD  AND  ROXBURY  APPEALS  HAVE  ALL  BEEN DENIED AND  SADDLEBACK HAS BEEN  HEARD  BUT NO OPINION  HAS  BEEN  GIVEN YET.

THE APPEAL OF THE OAKFIELD 2 PERMIT WILL BE HEARD BY THE LAW COURT THIS COMING WEDNESDAY.  PLEASE, IF  YOU CAN, SUPPORT THE  CITIZENS WHO ARE…

" The PUC agrees that wind projects tend to reduce prices in the wholesale markets and contribute to energy diversity and price stability. "

7 Myths About the Wind Production Tax Credit

The Heritage Foundation

The wind production tax credit (PTC) has created an industry that produces overpriced, intermittent power, and it will continue to produce overpriced, intermittent power so as long as there is a PTC to pay for it. Here are the top seven myths associated with the PTC:

Myth #1: Wind power is, or will soon be, cheaper than conventional…

On top of all the other problems caused by wind turbines, we find that the US weather service radar picks up false images of heavy snow from the movement of the turbine blades.  While forecasters can take into consideration the location of the small number of wind turbine sites now, what happens if the dreamed of build out of 45 or 50 wind sites sprawling across Maine's landscape happens?  Will we have unpredictable and muddled weather forecasts every winter?  What happens to those who are…

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/27/health/industrial-wind-turbines-could-cause-sleep-loss-study-claims/?ref=regionstate

Industrial wind turbines could cause sleep loss, study claims…

http://www.noiseandhealth.org/article.asp?issn=1463-1741;year=2012;volume=14;issue=60;spage=237;epage=243;aulast=Nissenbaum

Industrial wind turbines (IWTs) are a new source of noise in previously quiet rural environments. Environmental noise is a public health concern, of which sleep disruption is a major factor. To compare…

http://www.windmolenoverlast.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Legal-Research-external-perspective-Kinanya-Pijl.pdf

Systematic studies find a causal link between annoyances and sleep

disturbance. It is plausible that annoyance and sleep disturbance will lead to other

symptoms, such as stress or psychological distress, inner ear…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/9653429/Wind-farm-noise-does-harm-sleep-and-health-say-scientists.html

Wind farm noise causes “clear and significant” damage to people’s sleep and mental health, according to the first full peer-reviewed scientific study of the problem.

Wind farm noise does harm…

The UMPI turbine website now has a webcam which shows the actual turbine, with a  new image about 45 times a minute.   So, if you are wondering if it is turning, you can look and see.  It is barely visible at night, but very clear in the day time. Google "UMPI Turbine" and click on the new little box on the home page. Thank you UMPI.  Standard working speed of the blades is 28.5 rpm.

H. Roper

Capacity Factor (CF) is a standard and meaningful way of measuring a generator's actual power production over a period of time.   The UMPI wind turbine has an installed capacity of 600 kW, which means in a full day with perfect wind it will generate 14,4OO kWh. 

   Northern Maine has just experienced a notably calm 10-day period, November 14-23,  and the UMPI turbine website reports net power…

If you use download Google Chrome to look at the UMPI turbine website, you will see the wind speed, rotor rpm, and generator rpm data changing every ten seconds. The wind is very changeable.

Harry Roper  Houlton/Danforth