And also please read:

Maine environmental commissioner denies First Wind’s proposal for Bowers Mountain

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/08/06/business/maine-environmental-...

The answer is no

In April 2012, the Land Use Regulation Commission rejected First Wind’s proposal to build turbines on Bowers Mountain in Carroll Plantation. Officials felt the wind turbines’ effect on mountain and lake views, and businesses that profit from them, would be too great. First Wind then attempted to submit a revised proposal to LURC. It, too, was rejected.

On Aug. 5, after more extensive Department of Environmental Protection review, and more public hearings, DEP Commissioner Patricia Aho signed the final denial decision document on another “revised” Bowers Mountain Wind Project. DEP concluded again that “the proposed activity would have an unreasonable adverse effect on the scenic character and existing uses related to scenic character of the resource.”

First Wind says they’re “disappointed and haven’t decided whether to appeal.” Really? This must be what Yogi Berra meant when he said “It’s deja vu all over again.”

The arrogance of First Wind is incredible. Yes, there are two sides to the issue. But the review of the Bowers Mountain Project has undergone two years of the democratic process, repeated public testimony and extensive reviews by Maine government agencies. And the answer is: No. Denied. Rejected. Does First Wind need an interpreter?

First Wind is not used to losing. It is obvious that unless it suits their agenda, they have no respect for the state agencies that represent us. It’s time for them to learn that their deep pockets and legion of lawyers can’t steamroll the people of Maine.

The state of Maine should not waste another taxpayer dollar on any more appeals or stall tactics by First Wind. It’s over. Let’s not beat this dead horse any more.

Jack Gagnon

Lakeville

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/08/07/opinion/thursday-august-8-201...

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Comment by Sherwin Start on August 12, 2013 at 7:31pm

Congratulations To ALL those that Had a Hand in the DEFEAT of this Project and Thank U DEP!!

I hear it All the Time From Recreationaists That Travel to Maine and Spend MILLONS Of Dollars up here-Maine is Still the Most BEautifull Unspoiled Woods in this Country -EXCEPT for the Wind Power Turbines Are Spoiling The Beauty of this States NORTH country!Many Thousands Have GIVEN Up BECAUSE Of the Development of The UNSIGHtLY Structures and the INCREDIBLE noise they Create!!!

Again There Is Still Hope For Us-Lets Keep Up the Good/GREAT work to DEFEAT these RAPERS of our NORTH Woods!

Comment by Donna Amrita Davidge on August 9, 2013 at 10:23pm

thanks Mike and Karen...

Comment by Mike DiCenso on August 9, 2013 at 8:50pm

Thanks to Jack and Kaz for their excellent letters to the Lincoln News. FW go away. Maine cannot afford the scenic destruction nor the rate increases for trans. lines we do not need.

Comment by Karen Bessey Pease on August 8, 2013 at 5:47pm

In today's Lincoln news, beside Jack's excellent letter....

********

On August 5th DEP issued a formal denial for First Wind’s proposed Bowers Wind Project.  Commissioner Aho’s decision supported that made by LURC Commissioners in April 2012.

Both DEP and LURC concluded that the Bowers project would have “an unreasonable adverse effect on the scenic character and existing uses related to scenic character” in the Downeast Lakes region. To the credit of both agencies, they spent months studying the proposed development, sifting through massive amounts of data, reports and public testimony, before reaching their near-identical conclusions.

First Wind must abandon all plans to develop Bowers Mountain and Dill Hill.  Countless guides and sporting camp owners make their livings from the unique beauty and unparalleled resources provided by the region’s pristine environment.  Many, many more come to the region, spending millions in ‘tourism’ dollars to enjoy – for just a brief moment – that which makes Maine so special. 

First Wind has had their day.  They’ve already industrialized miles and miles of rural Maine in Aroostook, Penobscot, Hancock and Washington Counties.  Maine’s Quality of Place – its very brand – is at stake.  Thankfully, DEP and LURC recognized that the Downeast Lakes region was worthy of preserving and protecting.  Let us hope they continue to acknowledge that rural Maine is a treasure that must be safeguarded. 

First Wind has been told ‘no’ twice, by each of the state’s foremost environmental agencies.  Will this out-of-state corporation bow to the will of the People and the agencies charged with protecting Maine, or will they thumb their noses and appeal this decision?

To do so would be arrogant, would be expensive for Maine citizens, and would show exactly how committed this company is to getting their way… no matter what.

First Wind must abandon all plans to develop the Bowers Wind Project.     

Comment by Donna Amrita Davidge on August 8, 2013 at 4:17pm

thank you! wrote an opinion on this fabulous piece! Congrats Bowers..huge win for wind warriors, even those of us who lost...we are all in this together. Fundraiser for Oakfield AUG 17 at VAJOWA Gold Course 5:30 pm...Island Falls...for our last appeal to Fish and Wildlife...

 

Maine as Third World Country:

CMP Transmission Rate Skyrockets 19.6% Due to Wind Power

 

Click here to read how the Maine ratepayer has been sold down the river by the Angus King cabal.

Maine Center For Public Interest Reporting – Three Part Series: A CRITICAL LOOK AT MAINE’S WIND ACT

******** IF LINKS BELOW DON'T WORK, GOOGLE THEM*********

(excerpts) From Part 1 – On Maine’s Wind Law “Once the committee passed the wind energy bill on to the full House and Senate, lawmakers there didn’t even debate it. They passed it unanimously and with no discussion. House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, a Democrat from North Haven, says legislators probably didn’t know how many turbines would be constructed in Maine if the law’s goals were met." . – Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, August 2010 https://www.pinetreewatchdog.org/wind-power-bandwagon-hits-bumps-in-the-road-3/From Part 2 – On Wind and Oil Yet using wind energy doesn’t lower dependence on imported foreign oil. That’s because the majority of imported oil in Maine is used for heating and transportation. And switching our dependence from foreign oil to Maine-produced electricity isn’t likely to happen very soon, says Bartlett. “Right now, people can’t switch to electric cars and heating – if they did, we’d be in trouble.” So was one of the fundamental premises of the task force false, or at least misleading?" https://www.pinetreewatchdog.org/wind-swept-task-force-set-the-rules/From Part 3 – On Wind-Required New Transmission Lines Finally, the building of enormous, high-voltage transmission lines that the regional electricity system operator says are required to move substantial amounts of wind power to markets south of Maine was never even discussed by the task force – an omission that Mills said will come to haunt the state.“If you try to put 2,500 or 3,000 megawatts in northern or eastern Maine – oh, my god, try to build the transmission!” said Mills. “It’s not just the towers, it’s the lines – that’s when I begin to think that the goal is a little farfetched.” https://www.pinetreewatchdog.org/flaws-in-bill-like-skating-with-dull-skates/

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We have the facts on our side. We have the truth on our side. All we need now is YOU.

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 -- Mahatma Gandhi

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Hannah Pingree on the Maine expedited wind law

Hannah Pingree - Director of Maine's Office of Innovation and the Future

"Once the committee passed the wind energy bill on to the full House and Senate, lawmakers there didn’t even debate it. They passed it unanimously and with no discussion. House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, a Democrat from North Haven, says legislators probably didn’t know how many turbines would be constructed in Maine."

https://pinetreewatch.org/wind-power-bandwagon-hits-bumps-in-the-road-3/

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