There is talk in town that First Wind is researching a wind farm development in Molunkus Township.  I have created this blog as a resource for the people of Molunkus Township to gather and to disseminate information about the rumored Wind Farm project.  Although this is only in the planning stages, it is never too early to collect information and decide what we should do.

I created this blog to get facts out. I have not made up my mind about this project and am not trying to sway anyone one way or another. I just want to make sure that all concerned are fully informed before any turbines are erected, that our voices are heard, and that there are no adverse environmental effects on our neighborhood.

I have made some phone calls and wanted you to know what I’ve found out so far. I first spoke with Nick Archer, Regional Director of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection. Nick said he would be happy to help us down the line. Right now, he said we needed to talk with James Beyer, Maine’s Bureau of Land and Water Quality Permitting Project Manager. Jim gave me quite a bit of information.

As of today, August 26, 2013, First Wind has not submitted a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permit. So, all this is still in the planning stages and the State of Maine has not yet been contacted.

Any applicant must follow guidelines. First Wind must have two public meetings. They must notify abutters and post information of the meeting in the local paper. Jim said I could just give him a call monthly to see if a permit has been submitted.

Once First Wind submits a permit, the State has 185 days to process the application. If the application is accepted and we do not agree with it, there are two levels of appeal. Jim said that all wind project applications in Maine have been appealed. The appeal levels are:

  • To the Board of Environmental Protection
  • To the Supreme Court of Maine

We can submit comments and those who submit comments are called “interested parties.” To submit a comment, you have to have a valid argument such as why the proposal either meets or does not meet the set Maine standards. All who submit comments will be copied on any future correspondence.

Jim said that one of the standards is that the turbines must be at least 1/2 mile away from the closest residence. I pushed back on that, saying that 1/2 mile is not far enough, and people from Mars Hill are suffering from “wind turbine syndrome.” Jim said that things have changed since the Mars Hill project, that there are new noise standards and the new turbine design creates much quieter turbines.

If any of you know anyone involved with the Mars Hill lawsuit, or the Stetson II Project and can supply valid information, it would be appreciated. If you do not want to make the calls, I will be glad to contact these people and let you know what I learn. Please post any information (hopefully not just rumors).

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