My testimony on Wind Power act changes

Overall, this is a continuation of the original bias in favor of Wind farming; a catalogue of all the wonderful benefits it will bring. This bias MUST END NOW!  So here are my modifications:

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6. Tangible Benefits.  An applicant must demonstrate that a proposed wind energy development will establish environmental and economic improvements or benefits to the citizens of Maine attributable to the construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed development.  The evidence submitted in support of this demonstration shall include, but is not limited to, the following.

 ….this is a one-sided, and potentially biased,  inclusion of what has been documented to be significant ‘costs’ of a wind energy development. They include:

• Loss of bio-mass for the turbine pad(s) and transmission lines.
• Loss of carbon uptake and in turn carbon credits for replacing fossil fueled energy generation with a renewable source.
• Loss of water quality from surface water no long detoxified by tree root systems.
• Loss of water normally going into the aquifer and now shed into drainage conduits.
• Loss of rare and endangered birds and insects.
• Loss of oxygen from decreased photosynthesis.
• Loss of habitat for small mammals and birds.
• Loss of other improvements in AIR QUALITY like trapping particulate matter.
• Tempering acid rainfall, which went it becomes run off increases ocean acidification.
• Damage to habitat surrounding transmission lines from annual herbicide sprayings.

A. The estimated number of both part-time and full-time jobs to be created statewide and in the host community or communities and affected neighboring communities as a result of the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed wind energy development.  This shall include estimates of the numbers of both permanent and temporary construction-related jobs, and operations and maintenance jobs; and the number of both part-time and full-time jobs in

06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

 October, 2017, Pre-Rulemaking Draft 9

construction, operations and maintenance activities to be filled by trained, qualified and licensed workers pursuant to 32 M.R.S. §1101 et seq. and other applicable laws.

B. The estimated annual generation of electricity from wind energy by operation of the proposed wind energy development and the projected impact on electrical rates in the host community or communities.  The estimated annual generation of electricity shall be calculated including consideration of the estimated capacity factor for the proposed project, site-specific wind projections, any proposed curtailment measures, and curtailment anticipated to be imposed by the grid operator.

• An annual curve that measures daily fluctuations in generating output is essential to measuring the impact on the design of the grid to accommodate output and to supply power when the wind is no longer blowing or the turbines shut down.

C. The anticipated property tax payments from the project and the projected impact on property tax rates in the host community or communities.

• The decline in the value of real estate sold is a critical factor, since for scenic areas the value of a view can be as much as 30% of the selling price. Property sold during construction and completion must have the comparison between the asking price and the selling price computed and the property tax lost calculated.

D. Evidence of a power purchase agreement or other evidence demonstrating the intended sale or use of the electrical energy by a person other than the generator for the anticipated life of the project. 

E. The projected effect on electrical rates for residents of Maine directly attributable to and expected from the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed wind energy development.

• The methodology for computing these savings must be developed and approved by the P.U.C.

 F. If land or natural resource conservation is proposed as part of a Community Benefits Package, a plan for the proposed conservation.

• The land or natural resource conservation offset must include an environmental impact statement using current D.E.P. standards and guidelines, along with an iFORE assessment.

G. The estimated type and amount of local purchases of materials and services anticipated from the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed wind energy development.

• Local is defined as the town in which the development is located. The total amount of materials and services from which local purchases are subtracted must also be calculated.

H. A plan for annual post-construction reporting to the Department of specific tangible benefits realized from the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed wind energy development.

• Post-construction costs and liabilities shall be incorporated into this compilation to make it fair and unbiased.

I. Any other tangible benefits to be provided by the proposed wind energy development.

J. The community benefits package in accordance with 35-A M.R.S. §3454(2). 

• A community loss of environmental quality, climate change mitigation and property tax losses shall accompany the benefits package.