Wind Power Bandwagon Hits Bumps in the Road
WRITTEN BY NAOMI SCHALIT SENIOR REPORTER MAINE CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST REPORTING
FRIDAY, AUGUST 06, 2010 AT 8:38 AM
AUGUSTA — The Wind Energy Act of 2008, which gave developers a fast track to putting up wind turbines in some of the state’s treasured high ground, was a special interest bill justified at the time in the name of jobs, energy independence and climate change.
“There is tremendous potential for Maine to become…
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Added by Dan McKay on August 7, 2010 at 7:45pm —
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WHAT CENTRAL MAINE POWER DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW
Dave Wilby, Executive Director, Independent Energy Producers of Maine
Angela O’Connor, President, New England Power Generators Association
Are Maine consumers better off now that energy generation is deregulated? The answer
is yes.
In fact, Maine consumers are much better off contrary to the recent commentary by Sara
Burns of Central Maine Power. Wholesale electricity prices in New England have
declined by…
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Added by Dan McKay on August 7, 2010 at 7:41pm —
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By BEN CASSELMAN
CADDO PARISH, La. -- A massive natural-gas discovery here in northern Louisiana heralds a big shift in the nation's energy landscape. After an era of declining production, the U.S. is now swimming in natural gas.
Even conservative estimates suggest the Louisiana discovery -- known as the Haynesville Shale, for the dense rock formation that contains the gas -- could hold some 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. That's the equivalent of 33 billion…
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Added by Dan McKay on August 7, 2010 at 7:35pm —
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Having worked for developers for the past 12 years in Western Maine, there is no doubt to me that interest in mountainside dwellings is growing. I have seen people pay well into the hundred of thousands of dollars for 2 to 5 acre lots at elevations well above 1000 feet above sea level. These are not just lots on the ski mountains of Sugarloaf, Saddleback and Sunday River, but upon hills overlooking Rangeley Lake and the ski slopes of Sunday River. The dramatic landscape views from these areas…
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Added by Dan McKay on July 16, 2010 at 5:44am —
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It seems to me the LLC’s putting up these industrial wind projects know more about the economics of their venture than they are letting on. 5 year depreciation rate provided by federal tax law doesn’t seem to equate with the 20 year life span these developers are claiming. From the wind developer presentations I have attended , I have heard very little about local tax revenue beyond 3 years . The production tax credit is applicable but to the first 10 years . Insurance companies are denying…
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Added by Dan McKay on July 11, 2010 at 6:59pm —
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Many of us can still remember when Central Maine Power, Bangor Hydro and other smaller Maine utility companies were responsible for both generation and distribution of electricity. The PUC would work with these companies to keep costs to ratepayers within reason. Now, our electric rates are being dictated by generating companies from way beyond our boundaries. Local control to the price of electricity is gone.
The price paid for electricity in Boston and New York will soon be the price we,…
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Added by Dan McKay on July 4, 2010 at 6:26am —
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Let’s get real now. Wind turbines of the scale proposed for the destruction of the Western Maine mountaintops and environmental repercussions downhill and downwind do not last 20 years as everyone seems to take for granted. These machines have many parts to them : gears meshing with each other, blade tips whipping at 180 miles per hour, hydraulic systems straining against tremendous resistance to keep the machines facing the wind. Evidence is showing these machines wear out in 10 to 15 years,…
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Added by Dan McKay on June 19, 2010 at 7:44am —
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Another wind project, another TIF presentation brought to the people of Carthage by the money of Patriots Renewables looking for the credit enhancement return.
Just as sound was the dominate issue in the previous meeting, tonight it was all about money.
The line of forces that have ripped apart many towns on the issue of wind projects reared it's ugly head again last night.
How powerful is the promise of money ? It's power was on display creating quite a tempest among life long…
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Added by Dan McKay on June 18, 2010 at 4:50am —
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Jay Cashman of Patriots Renewables has said he feels his wind projects are needed for our national security.
I can not comprehend how utilizing the weakest form of generating reliable electricity makes us a stronger nation. Would you turn your firearms in and replace them with peashooters and feel you have made yourself more secure in your own home ?
Added by Dan McKay on May 16, 2010 at 8:53pm —
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A Wind Law, voted in unanimously by our state legislators, embraced by practically every state department and sold in private sessions to every local politician.
What kind of dreamers would place themselves , face to face, against these overwhelming odds ?
Not one Democrat nor one Republican voted against this law.
The perfect storm.
The brave sailor against the whale.
The sling shot artist against the giant.
The meek musket against the cannon.
My, what…
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Added by Dan McKay on April 6, 2010 at 6:19am —
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Will Maine become an electrical importer because of the “ wind rush ?”
Currently, Maine produces electricity using 50% reliable, renewable sources ( hydro-power and biomass ) and exports a surplus.
With 3 large natural gas plants built in the 1990’s, Maine will be able to meet electrical demand until 2017.
What will all the new generation wind facilities do for us ?
Experiences in California and Denmark may answer this question.
Denmark has reached the goal of producing…
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Added by Dan McKay on March 14, 2010 at 5:41am —
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The following website will surely enlighten you to what is going to happen with the energy plan undertake by Obama.
http://spectator.org/people/william-tucker/all
Added by Dan McKay on March 5, 2010 at 4:19am —
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http://www.20percentwind.org/report/Chapter2_Wind_Turbine_Technology.pdf
This report is one that should be read by anyone interested in investing in wind projects.
Added by Dan McKay on March 4, 2010 at 4:28am —
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Here's what you are going to get with wind turbines on the ridgelines. It will be equivalent to a rock band at each turbine site playing from a stage 400 feet above the ground, but these bands won't have much musical talent.
Added by Dan McKay on February 28, 2010 at 8:59am —
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I attended the Dixfield wind ordinance committee meeting of Feb 26th to see how they were coming along:
Well, we might just as well have Patriots Renewables writing it. Skitbitsky and our code enforcement officer, Calvin Beaumier, are taking all the work done by Norine Clarke and Steve Donahue and re-framing the wording to essentially allow the wind farms on Colonel Holman. Initially, Norine and Steve proposed a one mile setback to adjacent property lines, as the town of Montville,…
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Added by Dan McKay on February 27, 2010 at 9:00am —
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Some math done for the Highland Plantation Project :
King states natural gas prices drive the cost of electrical generation. Since last September, natural gas prices have stayed between 4 to 6 dollars per mmbtus. At $6 per mmbtu, electrical generation by gas is priced at $45 per megawatt/hour. (from ISO-NE).
King states the project will cost 273 million dollars to bring to operational stage.
King states a name plate capacity of 128.6 Megawatts/hr
Assume a 30% actual…
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Added by Dan McKay on February 24, 2010 at 5:46am —
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How can anyone who has spent any time in Maine conjure up an idea of transforming the top of the state’s mountains into a place for giant industrial generators ?. This is embarrassing to us who have worked diligently to clean up our environment for the past 40 years. From this resolve, We have come to see our state for it’s beauty , shining forth through the lakes, streams, shorelines and, yes, our mountains too.
Is this the right course for Maine ? Do wind machines really fit here ? We…
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Added by Dan McKay on February 22, 2010 at 8:38pm —
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E. Adams of the Lewiston Sun Journal stated in a story today that;
"Because the land on which most of the project would be built is
privately owned and subject only to state regulations, Carthage
residents would not have a say in whether it could be built."
I sent her an email at eadams@sunjournal.com :
" your article states that the people of Carthage have no say regarding
the construction of wind farms in their town. May I point out to you
that a DEP…
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Added by Dan McKay on February 19, 2010 at 7:20pm —
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Hello, allow me introduce myself as just another working stiff resolved to scratching out a living in this great state of Maine. Being a fairly simple man, I won’t even pretend to comprehend the complexities of government. I must work, therefore I don’t have the time nor energy to devote to trying to understand . Consequently, you will rarely hear my voice, for I , although full of political opinions, am intimidated by the thought of embarrassing myself before the omnipotence of government.…
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Added by Dan McKay on February 13, 2010 at 9:35am —
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A recent article in " Maine Business " reveals " the general backlash against wind power worries him." " Him" is Governor Angus King. Governor, you should be WORRIED
When you were Governor, you often spoke of the strong, independent nature of the Maine people. Was this just rhetoric, a political ploy ? Surely, your estimation of the will of the common folks hasn't been "spun" by influences which would pronounce you as the savior of our planet.
Your partner once told me, after…
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Added by Dan McKay on February 13, 2010 at 7:30am —
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