Wind Power Gets Boost in Maine

April 16, 2008


Maine

Within this state there's no debate with zero opposition,
To a turbine source that will enforce a path away from coal,
For wind support becoming law is now the prime position,
Law makers there protect the air, clean energy's their goal.
Congratulations to these people setting out to find,
The *Bay State's fixed mentality is nowhere on their mind,
The **Pine Tree State to pave the way for wind is just immense.
New England, New England has found some common sense,

*Nickname for Massachusetts
**Nickname for Maine

adrianakau@aol.com

PS: I have nothing against Massachusetts. My mother's family still lives in Boston but my uncle there said I should not be afraid to take up issues.

Great. Finally Maine is working with wind power and not against it. I would like to know where Maine is planning on getting that amount of turbines to meet this aggressive growth plan. With so many states having an RPS and wind power being the fastest growing energy source world wide, turbines are already hard to get and for the most part on a three year waiting list.

Another point that I think we all need to ask is what kind of "expedited permitting" we are talking here. If it is at the expense of wild life and scenic areas, then I am greatly saddened. The last thing the wind industry needs is another Altamont Pass.

When Maine's utility rates for power generation and distribution begin to reflect the lower cost of the 'free' feedstock, that will truly be a benefit to the people up there. Maine will become the 'missionary' in this. Perhaps then the other New England states that for various reasons don't want their environment 'sullied' with those 'awful-looking windmills that spoil our view' will begin to 'get it' (unless they're so fabulously wealthy living on their fifth generation inherited money that they can afford ANY cost for coal- or petroleum-based steam generating plants). Of course nuclear is out of the question up there, with their NIMBY worldview about 'environmental concerns'. Maybe when Ted Kennedy and John Warner finally retire, they'll actually settle down in sunny California and open the way for more aggressive windpower development in New England, instead of trying every sneaky move to stop it.

Maine and New Hampshire both are blessed with immense wind resources.

Now that Maine legislators have overwhelmingly voted for wind energy,
their next step should be to make the permitting process easier and initiating an effective Clean Energy financing support.

With the expected potential offshore turbines along the East coast , we might soon be on our road to a diminishing carbon energy world.